acle of Ray Meredith's flirtation with Mrs. Dalton; and no doubt
there were a great many others also prepared to amuse themselves at his
expense, and her eyes hardened. A jealous determination to punish the
woman who had spoiled the happy relations between husband and wife,
possessed her, so that the idea of slighting her publicly at this grand
ball was a temptation. That her husband would slight Mrs. Dalton, she
had no doubt. There was no mistaking the look in his eyes. Honor Bright
had said that, were he guilty of wrong-doing, self-loathing and remorse
would punish him more heavily than she could conceive of! He was already
ashamed, and would yet repent in the dust at his wife's feet. When that
came to pass, she might see fit to relent--not now. Now her whole soul
was in revolt. Her heart felt like stone in her breast. What would
another woman have done in her place? She had no experience. Honor had
advised her against precipitancy. She would act with infinite
deliberation, surpassing anything Honor would have counselled. Honor had
talked of love! For the moment she had lost her faith in love, and knew
no feeling so strong as revenge. She would go to the ball, and Ray
should have no eyes for any other woman but his wife. It had been so in
the past, and it would be so again, or she would hate to live. People
had always said that she was pretty, and she had been glad for his sake.
She was more than glad now; for it put the strongest weapon for
punishment into her hand.

Meanwhile, her husband was amazed that she should think of the ball,
and, doubtless, feared she was mad!

"I am not insane, if that is what is on your mind. But I have to think
of the future," she said coldly. The future was another point that Honor
said, would have to be considered. "We shall go to this dance together
to keep up appearances. For the same reason, we shall, if you have no
objection, dance a great deal together. For Baby's sake the world must
think that we are rejoiced to come together again after so many months
apart, and it might help to make people forget the ugly things they have
been saying. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. You shall do as you please, in this, as in everything
else."

"I have no doubt Mrs. Dalton will find someone in the hotel to escort
her?"

"She can take care of herself."

"Very well then," looking at her watch, "perhaps I had better dress, for
it is rather near the dinner hour."

"And is that all you have to s