ssed to my husband. It is
revolting! Am I to keep silent, shameless man--_I_ your wedded wife? Am
I to be silent in presence of such infamous deeds?"

"Rather too pathetic, wife! Save your breath. Don't grieve at the
liberties which I take. Try and accustom yourself to pay as little
attention to my conduct as I bestow upon yours. When years ago I
entered the contract with you vulgarly denominated marriage, I did it
with the understanding that I was uniting myself to a subject that was
willing to share with me a life free from restraints; I mean, a life
free from the odor of so-called hereditary moral considerations and of
religious restrictions. Accustom yourself to this view of the matter,
rise to my level, enjoy an emancipated existence."

He spoke and left the room. In his office he read the letter over.

"This creature is insatiable!" murmured he to himself. "I shall have to
turn her off and enter into less expensive connections. I am talking
with myself to-day--queer, very queer!"

A heavy knock was heard at the door.

"Come in!"

A man and woman scantily clad entered the room. The sight of the
wretched couple brought a fierce passion into the usurer's countenance.
He seemed suddenly transformed into a tiger, bloodthirstily crouching
to seize his prey.

"What is the matter. Holt?"

"Mr. Shund," began the man in a dejected tone, "the officer of the law
has served the writ upon us: it is to take effect in ten days."

"That is, unless you make payment," interrupted Shund.

"We are not able to pay just now, Mr. Shund, it is impossible. I wished
therefore to entreat you very earnestly to have patience with us poor
people."

The woman seconded her husband's petition by weeping bitterly, wringing
her hands piteously. The usurer shook his head relentlessly.

"Patience, patience, you say. For eight years I have been using
patience with you; my patience is exhausted now. There must be limits
to everything. There is a limit to patience also. I insist upon your
paying."

"Consider, Mr. Shund, I am the father of eight children. If you insist
on payment now and permit the law to take its course, you will ruin a
family of ten persons. Surely your conscience will not permit you to do
this?"

"Conscience! What do you mean? Do not trouble me with your nonsense.
For me, conscience means to have; for you, it means you must.
Therefore, pay."

"Mr. Shund, you know it is yourself that have reduced us to this
wretched