Toni, don't let those silly women and their chatter hurt you. You
can believe me, can't you? And I tell you I married you because I loved
you--and Lady Saxonby and all the rest can go to Jericho!"

He half thought he had won her ear; in another moment he felt sure he
would have had her in his arms, sobbing her heart out--since she must
cry--in the safe shelter of his breast; but at that moment the young
butler, deceived by the low voices into thinking the room empty, entered
briskly to fulfil his duties; and Toni sprang up before Andrews had time
to advance round the big screen, which fortunately hid her from his
eyes.

Owen swore softly under his breath at this most untimely interruption;
but Toni was already half-way to the door, and he judged it best to
engage Andrews in conversation about the wine and leave Toni to seek the
sanctuary she desired.

* * * * *

The next day the Secretary of the Badminton Club received Mrs. Rose's
resignation; and there, for the present, the matter ended.

CHAPTER XXIII

When Toni related the episode of Lady Martin's note to Eva Herrick, the
latter asked a startling question.

"Toni, why don't you leave your husband?"

"Leave my husband?" Toni stared at her, wide-eyed.

"Yes. Oh, anyone can see you're neither of you happy. Mr. Rose knows all
the time that he ought not to have married you just to get even with
that horrid Saxonby woman, and anyhow you're not the least bit in the
world suited to one another."

Toni was very pale.

"You don't think so?"

"I'm sure of it." Eva threw away the cigarette she held and sat upright.
"You ought to have married a man who would love you whatever you
did--who wouldn't want you to be booky and clever, but would think you
perfect in every way. Not a man who feels himself superior to you half
the time, and finds fault the other half."

"But my husband doesn't find fault." She spoke in a low voice.

"Doesn't he? Well, it sounds like it," said Eva, piling the cushions
behind her curly golden head. "I heard him scolding you over a book
you'd mislaid one day, and he nearly jumped down your throat about Miss
Loder this very morning."

"That was entirely my fault," said Toni quickly; and Eva saw that if she
were to succeed in her malicious project she must change her plan of
attack.

Being as quick-witted as she was cruel, she adopted a new method
instantly.

"Of course. I was only joking. Seriousl