e said.

'She must know the truth. That is part of his punishment,' replied
Vincent.

'But it will be so terrible for her, poor thing!' said Mabel, with an
infinite compassion in her voice. 'What if the truth were to _kill_
her?'

'Better that,' he said bitterly, 'than to go on loving a lie! Whatever
happens her husband is responsible, not I. That is the correct view,
Ashburn, I think?'

'Quite correct,' said Mark.

'It may be correct,' cried Mabel indignantly, 'but it is very cruel! I
didn't think you could be so harsh, either of you. Of course, I don't
know what the man has done; perhaps if I did _I_ might be "correct"
too. But, Vincent, I do ask you to think a little of his poor wife.
She, at least, has done you no harm! Is there no way--no way at
all--to get back something of what you have lost; even to punish the
man, if you must, and yet spare his wife?'

'If there were,' he cried passionately, 'do you suppose I would not
take it? Is it my fault that this man has done me such a wrong that he
can only make amends for it by exposing himself? What can I do?'

'I suppose there is no help for it, then,' agreed Mabel reluctantly,
'but I wish she had not to suffer too. Only think what it must be to
have to give up believing in one's husband!' and as she spoke she slid
a confiding hand through Mark's arm.

There was another silence, and, as it seemed plain now that the
interview was not likely to be a success, she made haste to end it.
'We must say good-bye now, Vincent,' she said. 'I hope you are not so
harsh as your words.'

'I don't know. I feel considerably harsher just now, I think,' he
said. 'Good-bye then, Mabel. By the way, Ashburn,' he added in a
slightly lowered tone, 'there is something I have to say to you.'

'I know,' muttered Mark doggedly. 'Are you going to say it now?'

'No, not now,' he answered; 'you must meet me--where shall we say? I
don't know this place--here? No, on that little terrace over there, by
the fountain; it will be quieter. Be there at nine.--I am going to
tell your husband the details of that story, Mabel,' he continued
aloud, 'and then we shall decide what to do. You will spare him to me
for half an hour?'

'Oh, yes,' said Mabel, cheerfully. She thought this looked as if they
were going to arrive at a better understanding. Mark looked at
Vincent, but his face was impenetrable in the dim light as he added,
again in an undertone, 'You are to say nothing until I give you lea