"I'm torn with----"

"With love for him. I know. I know. I'm asking from you the biggest
sacrifice of all--for his sake and for her sake. While she lives, give
her back what happiness you can," Larssen's voice had lowered almost to
a whisper.

"What more can I do than I have done?"

"Much more. Write to Matheson definitely and finally. Send him back to
his wife. She is to cruise on board the 'Starlight'--a yacht of
mine--with my little son. Send Matheson to meet her on the yacht."

"And then?"

"Then they will come together again. I'm certain of it. I've seen Mrs
Matheson and read the change in her feelings. She'll be a different
woman now.... Can you see to write?"

"Yes--faintly."

"Then write to Matheson what your heart will dictate to you," said
Larssen gently.

Presently he resumed: "Where is he now?"

"At Nimes."

"Ah, yes--the trial."

"It should be finished to-day."

"Then Matheson will probably be returning to London to see me. There's
no need for him to hurry back. He could board the 'Starlight' at
Boulogne or any other port he might prefer."

"Isn't May 3rd the day that ends your agreement?" asked Elaine.

"It is; but I'll extend that date." Larssen took from his pockets a
fountain-pen and a scrap of paper and scribbled a few words on it,
signing his name underneath. "Suppose you enclose this when you're
writing to Matheson? It extends our agreement until May 20th."

He passed the paper to her.

The power of the human word, of the human voice--how limitless it is!
Larssen, master of word and voice, had Elaine convinced through and
through of his sincerity in the matter of reconciling husband and wife.
He had appealed with unerring judgment to her finest feelings, and she
read her own altruism into his words.

Larssen knew that his point was won, and long experience had taught him
to close an interview as soon as he had carried conviction.

"I won't tire you any longer," he said, rising. "I just want to say
this: you're _big_. You're the finer woman by far, but she is his
wife."

CHAPTER XXXIV

ON BOARD THE "STARLIGHT"

The trial at Nimes proved a wearisome, sordid affair, and its result was
a foregone conclusion. If there had been some motive of romantic
jealousy on the part of the youth Crau, a French jury might have
returned a sentimental verdict of acquittal. As it was, they found him
guilty, and the judge sentenced him to three years penal servitude.

Riviere was he