would act. I would rather suffer anything
and lose everything than have harm come to him."

"All I can say is that, if you will leave him completely and finally, I
will let him alone. But you must do it promptly. Everything depends
upon this. I'm in too reckless and bitter a mood to be trifled with.
Besides, I've plenty of money and could escape from the country in
twenty-four hours. You needn't think you can tell this story to
Holcroft and that he can protect you and himself. I'm here under an
assumed name and have seen no one who knows me. I may have to
disappear for a time and be disguised when I come again, but I pledge
you my word he'll never be safe as long as you are under his roof."

"Then I will sacrifice myself for him," she said, pallid even to her
lips. "I will go away. But never dream that you can come near me
again--you who deceived and wronged me, and now, far worse, threaten
the man I love."

"We'll see about that," he replied cynically. "At any rate, you will
have left him."

"Go!" she said imperiously.

"I'll take a kiss first, sweetheart," he said, advancing with a
sardonic smile.

"Jane!" she shrieked. He paused, and she saw evidences of alarm.

The girl ran lightly out of the dairy room, where she had been a greedy
listener to all that had been said, and a moment later appeared in the
yard before the house. "Yes'm," she answered.

"Be careful now, sir," said Alida sternly. "There's a witness."

"Only a little idiotic-looking girl."

"She's not idiotic, and if you touch me the compact's broken."

"Very well, my time will come. Remember, you've been warned," and he
pulled his hat over his eyes and strode away.

"Bah!" said Jane with a snicker, "as if I hadn't seen his ugly mug so
I'd know it 'mong a thousand."

With a face full of loathing and dread, Alida watched her enemy
disappear down the lane, and then, half fainting, sank on the lounge.

"Jane!" she called feebly, but there was no answer.

Chapter XXXII.

Jane Plays Mouse to the Lion

It can well be understood that Jane had no disposition to return to
Mrs. Holcroft and the humdrum duties of the house. There opened before
her an exciting line of action which fully accorded with her nature,
and she entered upon it at once. Her first impulse was to follow the
man of whom she had learned so much. Not only was she spurred to this
course by her curiosity, but also by her instinctive loyalty to
Holcroft, and, it m