t the wall and after a moment of
deliberation replied: "Tante did not speak rightly to Gregory, Mrs.
Forrester. She lost her temper very much. You know that Tante can lose
her temper."

Mrs. Forrester, at this, almost lost hers. "You surprise me, Karen. Your
husband had spoken insultingly of her friends--and yours--to her. Why
attempt to shield him? I heard the whole story, in detail, from your
guardian, you must remember."

Again Karen withdrew into a considering silence; but, though her face
remained impassive, Mrs. Forrester observed that a slight flush rose to
her cheeks.

"Gregory did not intend Tante to overhear what he said," she produced at
last. "It was said to me--and I had questioned him--not to her. Tante
came in by chance. It is not likely, Mrs. Forrester, that my version
would differ in any way from hers."

"You mustn't take offence at what I say, Karen," Mrs. Forrester spoke
with more severity; "your version does differ. To my astonishment you
seem actually to defend your husband."

"Yes; from what is not true: that is not to differ from Tante as to what
took place." Karen brought her eyes to Mrs. Forrester's.

"From what is not true. Very well. You will not deny that he so
intensely dislikes your guardian and has shown it so plainly to her that
she has had to leave you. You will not deny that, Karen?"

"No. I will not deny that," Karen replied.

"My poor child--it is true, and it is only a small part of the truth. I
don't know what Gregory has said to you in private, but even Mercedes
had not prepared me for what he said to me this morning."

"What did he say to you this morning, Mrs. Forrester?"

"He believes her to be a bad woman, Karen; do you realise that; has he
told you that; can you bear it? Dangerous, unscrupulous, tyrannous,
devoured by egotism, were the words he used of her. I shall not forget
them. He accused her of hypocrisy in her feeling for you. He hoped that
you might never see her again. It is terrible, Karen. Terrible. It puts
us all--all of us who love Mercedes, and you through her, into the most
impossible position."

Karen sat, her head erect, her eyes downcast, with a rigidity of
expression almost torpid.

"Do you see the position he puts us in, Karen?" Mrs. Forrester went on
with insistence. "Have you had the matter out with Gregory? Did you
realise its gravity? I must really beg you to answer me."

"I have not yet spoken with my husband," said Karen, in a chill,
l