n see that they regard you as lovers. A woman
realises a point like that instinctively. No word was said, but I
_know_.... Things can't remain stationary in a situation of that kind.
You know it as well as I do. You are a man of strong passions.... Miss
Verney is highly-strung, very impressionable."

And then Olive made her one big mistake. She added: "She confessed to me
that--how shall I put it?--that it would be dangerous for her to see
more of you."

"Miss Verney told you that?"

"In effect."

"I don't believe it!"

"It's as true as I sit here!"

"I don't believe it for a moment!"

"She said even more than that."

"What?"

"That she would be ready to live with you, divorce or no divorce. Don't
you see the danger now? Clifford, I appeal to your chivalry! For her
sake cut loose now, at once, before it's too late! Say good-bye to her
by letter; leave me to arrange the allowance----"

"I tell you I must see her!"

"No!"

"I _must_!"

Olive lost control of herself. "I'm your wife! I forbid you to!" she
ordered sharply.

Riviere stiffened. "You told me a fortnight ago you never wanted to see
me again."

"I've changed my mind!"

"There's a reason for the change."

"I've told you the reasons!"

"Not all the reasons."

"D'you doubt my word?"

Riviere's business training made him recognize the true meaning of that
phrase. He had heard it so many times before from men who were planning
some shady trick. He answered decisively: "I've the right to hear from
Miss Verney herself what she said to you this afternoon, and I'm going
to hear it. That's final!"

Olive was now chalk-white with rage. Every nerve of her body was
quivering, but by a supreme effort she regained control over her words.

"You're insulting me!" she returned. "You doubt my word when I tell you
that Miss Verney is ready to become your mistress. Very well, come with
me and I'll repeat it in front of her."

"No."

"You're afraid of the test!"

"I'll not discuss such a matter."

"You're afraid of the test!"

"I'll not have that insult put upon her."

"It's true! I'll swear to it on the Bible! If it's not true, let her
deny it before me. There's the challenge. You owe it to her as well as
to me to accept. At least give her the opportunity of denying it, if you
think you know her. But you don't know women--you never have, and you
never will. I tell you you're living on a volcano. You've no right to
compromise her as you're doi