nstead of feeling sorry
for him. That would have convinced me that he was the rotter the world
said he was when he turned against me. I tell you, Simmy, it is gratifying
to know that the man you love is drinking himself to death because he's
true to you."

"That's an extraordinary thing to say," said Simmy, squinting. "You are
happy because that poor devil is--"

"Now don't say that!" she cried. "I didn't say I was happy. I said I was
gratified--because he is true to me in spite of everything. I suppose it's
more than you can grasp, Simmy,--you dear old simpleton." Her eyes were
shining very brightly, and her cheeks were warm and rosy. "You see, it's
my husband who is being true to me. Every wife likes to have that thing
proved to her."

"Quixotic," said Simmy. "He isn't your husband, my dear."

"Oh, yes, he is," said Lutie earnestly. "Just as much as he ever was."

"The law says he is not."

"What are you trying to get me to say?"

"I may as well come to the point. Would you marry him again if he were to
come to you,--now?"

"Do you mean, would I live with him again?"

"You couldn't do that without marrying him, you know."

"I am already married to him in the sight of God," said she, stubbornly.

"Good Lord! Would you go back to him without a ceremony of--"

"If I made up my mind to live with him, yes."

"Oh, I see. And may I inquire just what your state of mind would be if he
came to you to-morrow?"

"You have got me cornered, Simmy," she said, her lip trembling. There was
a hunted look in her eyes. "I--I don't know what I should do. I want him,
Simmy,--I want my man, my husband, but to be perfectly honest with you, I
don't believe he has sunk low enough yet for me to claim the complete
victory I desire."

"Victory?" gasped Simmy. "Do you want to pick him out of the gutter? Is
that your idea of triumph over the Tresslyns? Are you--"

"When the time comes, Simmy," said she cryptically, "I will hold out my
hand to him, and then we'll have a _real_ man before you can say Jack
Robinson. He will come up like a cork, and he'll be so happy that he'll
stay up forever."

"Don't be too sure of that. I've seen better men than George stay down
forever."

"Yes, but George doesn't want to stay down. He wants me. That's all he
wants in this world."

"Do you imagine that he will come to you, crawling on his knees, to plead
for forgiveness or--"

"By no means! He'd never sink so low as that. That's why I tell