te, to receive simple and straightforward answers to your questions;
but you'll oblige me by remembering where you are."

Elgar might rage inwardly, but he had no power of doubting what he
heard. He understood that Mallard would not even permit an allusion to
anything save the plain circumstances which had come to light.
Moreover, the artist had found a galling way of referring to the events
that had brought about this juncture. Reuben was profoundly humiliated;
he had never seen himself in so paltry a light. He could have shed
tears of angry shame.

"I dare say the tone of your conversation," he said acridly, "was not
such as would reconcile her to remaining at home. No doubt you gave her
abundant causes for self-pity."

"I did not congratulate her on her return home; but, on the other hand,
I said nothing that could interfere with her expressed intention to
remain there."

"She told you that she had this intention?" asked Reuben, with some
eagerness.

"She did."

As in the dialogue of last evening, so now, Mallard kept the sternest
control upon himself. Had he obeyed his desire, he would have scarified
Elgar with savage words; but of that nothing save harm could come. His
duty was to smooth, and not to aggravate, the situation. It was a blow
to him to learn that Cecily had passed the night away from home, but he
felt sure that this would be explained in some way that did no injury
to her previous resolve. He would not admit the thought that she had
misled him. What had happened, he could not with any satisfaction
conjecture, but he was convinced that a few hours would solve the
mystery. Had she really failed in her determination, then assuredly she
would write to him, even though it were without saying where she had
taken refuge. But he persisted in hoping that it was not so.

"Go back to your house, and wait there," he added gravely, but without
harshness. "For some reason best known to yourself, you kept your wife
waiting for nearly two days, in expectation of your coming. I hope it
was reluctance to face her. You can only go and wait. If I hear any
news of her, you shall at once receive it. And if she comes, I desire
to know of it as soon as possible."

Elgar could say nothing more. He would have liked to ask several
questions, but pride forbade him. Turning in silence he went from the
studio, and slowly descended the stairs Mallard heard him pause near
the foot, then go forth.

Reuben had no choice but