:' the most of us do that sooner or later: but to
make a vulgar open rupture, and go off--like this."

"I fail to see the vulgarity in it," said John.

"Oh, of course; everything she does is perfect to you. But just think,
if it had been your own case--followed about and bullied by a jealous
woman, in a state of health that of itself disgusts a man----"

"Lady Mariamne, you must pardon me if I refuse to listen to anything
more of this kind," said John, starting to his feet.

"Oh, I warn you, you'll be compelled to listen to a great deal more if
you're her agent as I hear! Phil will find means of compelling you to
hear if you don't like to take your information from me."

"I should like to know how Mr. Phil Compton will succeed in compelling
me--to anything I don't choose to do."

"You think, perhaps, because there's no duelling in this country he
can't do anything. But there is, all the same. He would shame you into
it--he could say you were--sheltering yourself----"

"I am not a man to fight duels," said John, very angry, but smiling, "in
any circumstances, even were such a thing not utterly ridiculous; but
even a fighting man might feel that to put himself on a level with the
dis-Hon----"

He stopped himself as he said it. How mean it was--to a
woman!--descending to their own methods. But Lady Mariamne was too quick
for him.

"Oh," she said; "so you've heard of that, a nickname that no
gentleman----" then she too paused and looked at him, with a momentary
flush. He was going to apologize abjectly, when with a slight laugh she
turned the subject aside.

"Pretty fools we are, both of us, to talk such nonsense. I didn't come
here carrying Phil on my shoulders, to spring at your throat if you
expressed your opinion. Look here--tell me, don't let us go beating
about the bush, Mr. Tatham--I suppose you have seen Nell?"

"I know my cousin's mind, at least," he said.

"Well, then, just tell me as between friends--there's no need we should
quarrel because they have done so. Tell me this, is she going to get up
a divorce case----"

"A divorce----!"

"Because," said Lady Mariamne, "she'll find it precious difficult to
prove anything. I know she will. She may prove the flirting and so
forth--but what's that? You can tell her from me, it wants somebody far
better up to things than she is to prove anything. I warn her as a
friend she'll not get much good by that move."

"I am not aware," said John, "whether Mrs.