wife did this?'

'Her motive, I don't know. Pure hatred, it seemed. But I've had a
strange fancy. She talked about a woman I used to know very slightly, a
Mrs. Strangeways, and seemed to be in fear of her; she said that woman
and I were circulating stories about her. And I have wondered--Why are
you looking like that?'

'She must be mad.--I'll tell you. I only wish I had told you before.
She was _there_ that night--at Redgrave's. But for _her_ it would never
have happened. I saw him standing with her, by the window of his
room--that is, I saw a woman, but it wasn't light enough to know her;
and all at once she ran back, through the open French windows into the
house; and then I rushed in and found her there--it was Rolfe's wife.'

'Why did you keep this from me?'

'She implored me--vowed there was nothing wrong--cried and begged. And
I thought of Rolfe. I see now that I ought to have told him. The woman
must be crazy to have behaved like this to you.'

Sibyl's face shone.

'Now I understand. This explains her. Oh, my dear, foolish husband!
After all, you did _not_ tell the whole truth. To spare your friend's
feelings, you risked your wife's reputation. And I have been at the
mercy of that woman's malice! Don't you think, Hugh, that I have had to
bear a little more than I deserved? Your distrust and what came of
it--I have long forgiven you all that. But this--wasn't it rather too
hard upon me?'

He flinched under her soft reproach.

'I couldn't be sure, Sibyl. Perhaps it was true--perhaps she was only
there----'

A flash of scorn from her eyes struck him into silence.

'Perhaps? And perhaps she meant no harm in lying about me! You will
send at once for Rolfe and tell him.'

Hugh moved from her, and stood with his face averted.

'Can you hesitate for a moment?' she asked severely

'Why need I tell Rolfe? Send for _her_, and say what you like. Won't
that be enough? It's awful to think of telling Rolfe. Don't ask me do
to that, Sibyl.'

He approached her, voice and attitude broken to humility. Sibyl grew
only more resolute.

'You must tell him. Don't you owe it me?'

'By God, I can't do that!--I can't do that! Have her here, before us
both. Shame her and threaten her as much as you like; but don't tell
Rolfe. It's like you and me, Sibyl. Suppose she has really done no
wrong, and we put that thought into his mind?'

'Have you lost all your senses?' she exclaimed passionately. 'Must I
keep reminding y