door and no light, were positively requisite.
But how avert the comment which this unusual state of things must awaken
if noticed? But one expedient suggested itself. He would light a cigar
and sit in the window. If questioned he would say that he was engaged
in deciding how he would end the story he was writing; that such
contemplation called for darkness but above all for good air; that had
the weather been favorable he would have obtained the latter by opening
the window; but it being so bad he could only open the door. Certain
eccentricities are allowable in authors.

This settled, he proceeded to take a chair and envelope himself in smoke.
With eyes fixed on the dimly-lighted vista of the hall before him, he
waited. What would happen next? Would his wife reappear? No; supper was
coming up. He could hear dishes rattling on the rear stairway, and in
another moment saw the maid coming down the hall with a large tray in her
hands. She stopped at Anitra's door, knocked, and was answered by the
harsh command:

"Set it down. I'll get it for myself."

The maid set it down.

Next instant Mrs. Ransom's door opened.

"Don't be too generous with me," he heard her call softly out. "I can't
eat. I'm too upset for much food. Tea," she whispered, "and some nice
toast. Tell Mrs. Deo that I want nothing else. She will understand."

The maid nodded and disappeared down the hall just as a bare arm was
thrust out from Anitra's door and the tray drawn in. A few minutes later
the other tray came up and was carried into Mrs. Ransom's room. The
contrast in the way the two trays had been received struck him as showing
the difference between the two women, especially after he had been given
an opportunity, as he was later, of seeing the ferocious way in which the
food brought to Anitra had been disposed of.

But I anticipate. The latter tray had not yet been pushed again into the
hall, and Mr. Ransom was still smoking his first cigar when he heard the
lawyer's voice in the office below asking to have pen and ink placed in
the small reception-room. This recalled him to the real purpose of his
wife's presence in the house, and also assured him that the opportunity
would soon be given him for another glimpse of her before the evening was
over. It was also likely to be a full-face one, as she would have to
advance several steps directly towards him before taking the turn leading
to the front staircase.

He awaited the moment eagerly. T