some proof?'

'Harvey!' The cry quivered on a laugh. 'O Harvey! who would know you
with that face?'

Sibyl rose. The men exchanged a quick glance. Rolfe moved to his wife's
side, and touched her.

'Yes, yes, I _know_,' she went on, drawing away--'I know what you asked
me. Keep quiet, just a little. There are three of you, and it's hard
for me alone. It isn't so easy to make _you_ believe things, Harvey. Of
course, I knew how it would be if this came out. I can tell you, but
not now; some other time, when we are alone. You won't believe me; I
always knew _I_ shouldn't be believed. I ought to have been cautious,
and have kept friends with her. But it wasn't as if I had anything to
hide--anything that mattered. Let me go, and leave you three to talk.
And when you come home----'

Turning, looking for the door, she fell softly on to her knees. In a
moment Harvey had raised her, and seated her in the chair which Hugh
pushed forward. Sibyl, motionless, looked on. Seeing that Alma had not
lost consciousness, she awaited her next word.

'We will go away,' said Hugh, under his breath; and he beckoned to
Sibyl. Reluctantly she took a step towards him, but was stopped by
Alma's voice.

'Don't go on my account. Haven't _you_ any question to ask me? When I
go, I shan't be anxious to see you again. Don't look frightened; I know
what I am talking about. My head went round for a moment--and no
wonder. Stand there, face to face.--Leave me alone, Harvey; I can stand
very well. I want her to ask me anything she has to ask. It's her only
chance, now. I won't see her again--never after this.'

'Mrs. Carnaby,' said Rolfe, 'there must be an end of it. You had better
ask Alma what she has against you.'

Sibyl, summoning all her cold dignity, stood before the half-distraught
woman, and looked her in the eyes.

'What harm or wrong have I done you, Mrs. Rolfe, that you hate me so?'

'None that I know of, until you brought me here today.'

'But you have said that you think me no better than a guilty hypocrite,
and isn't it natural that I should defend myself?'

'Quite natural. You have done it very cleverly till now, and perhaps
you will to the end. I feel sure there is no evidence against you,
except the word of the woman who told your husband; and even if she
comes forward, you have only to deny, and keep on denying.'

'Then why do you believe that woman rather than me?'

Alma answered only with a frivolous laugh. Sibyl, turning