e that. It was in her nature to grow so utterly desperate that,
whatever her secret might prove, she would find the courage to give it
up to her husband and madly urge on the crisis of her fate in all its
blackness and horror, rather than endure the slavery and suspense in
which she had lived.

"There will be no need of all this," he said. "Place in my hands the sum
you have promised, and I will at once put it out of my own power to harm
you or yours. After all," he continued, with another sneering laugh, "I
am selling my claim much too cheaply; twenty-five thousand dollars is a
pitiful little sum, considering what I give up."

"You can get no more--you cannot frighten me! If you betrayed everything
you would ruin your hopes of a single penny. I tell you my husband would
perish rather than buy your silence. I know him--he might shoot you down
like a dog, but would never pay gold to bind your vicious tongue."

"Dear friend, I infinitely prefer transacting this little business with
you," he said, laughing again. "We shall not quarrel; for your sake I
will content myself with the twenty-five thousand dollars, but I warn
you I cannot wait after Monday."

"I tell you it will be ready on that day."

"The letters and that troublesome little document shall be placed in
your hands--I promise on----"

She interrupted him contemptuously: "There is nothing you could swear by
that would make the oath worth hearing."

The man bowed, as if she had paid him a compliment. He was so utterly
hardened that even her burning scorn could not affect him.

"Don't write to me, don't send to me," she said; "it will only be
dangerous--more so for you than for me--remember that."

"I can trust you; I have the utmost faith in your word."

She gathered her shawl about her and moved towards the door.

"Are you going already?"

"That bracelet!" she said, with a sudden thought. "You parted with it of
course--could you get it back?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I received your note concerning it; we will see--very doubtful I fear.
But when I am once gone--even if your husband does discover it--there
will be no trouble."

She turned her back on him. He started forward to open the door for her,
his hand touched hers on the knob, she started as if a scorpion had
stung her, but he only cast a smile in her face and allowed her to pass
out.

"A wonderful woman!" he said to himself, after she had disappeared.
"What a pity she hates me so; t