Through all the languid insolence of her manner there was discernible so much real pain of mind, that Minnie once more checked a severe speech, and answered gently, "You will judge of that. Of course Algernon will discuss the subject of our conversation with you." Mrs. Algernon Errington scarcely condescended to return Minnie's parting salutation, but walked away, saying to her husband over her shoulder, "I am going to drive home. It is nearly dinner-time. I suppose you are coming? But don't let me interfere with your arrangements." "Interfere with a fiddlestick!" cried Algernon in the quick, testy tone that was the nearest approach to loss of temper Minnie had ever seen in him. Then he added after an instant, with a short laugh, "I don't know why I'm supposed not to include dinner in my 'arrangements' to-day of all days in the year!" And then the husband and wife went away together, and entered the fly that awaited them before Dr. Bodkin's door. "How did you know where to find me?" asked Algernon suddenly, after a silent drive of some ten minutes. "Oh, I knew you had a rendezvous." "I had no 'rendezvous.' You could not know it!" "Couldn't I? I tell you I saw that creature's letter. 'Dear Algernon!' What right has she to write to you like that?" And Castalia burst into angry tears. Algernon turned upon her eagerly. "Saw her letter? Where? How?" "I----they told me----it was at the office." "You went to the office? And you saw Minnie's letter?" "I----it's no use scolding me, or pretending to be injured. I know who is injured of us two." "I suppose I must have left the note lying open on the table of my office," said Algernon, speaking very distinctly, and not looking at his wife. "Yes; that must be it! I----I----I tore it up. You will find the fragments on the floor if you think them worth preserving." "What a goose you are, Castalia!" exclaimed her husband, leaning back in the carriage and closing his eyes. Now, the fact was that Algernon distinctly remembered having placed Minnie's note in a drawer of a little secretaire which he kept habitually locked, and of which the key was at that moment in his waistcoat pocket. And the discovery that his wife had in some way or other obtained access to the said secretaire gave him, for reasons known only to himself, abundant food for conjecture and reflection during the rest of the drive home. END OF VOL. II.