It was a place and a time to stir the pulses of an anchorite, and yet Glen hardly seemed to heed the beautiful woman who hung heavily and more heavily upon his arm, till he said suddenly-- "Is not this the way?" "No, along here; let us go through this door." "This door" was one at quite the end, leading into a kind of boudoir; but ere they reached it, and as they were nearly hidden by the rich leaves and flowers, Clotilde turned to her companion with a low, piteous sigh--gazing wildly in his eyes. "Oh, Marcus, why did I marry that man?" Volume 3, Chapter IV. GLEN'S DEFENDER. Marcus Glen could hardly recall exactly what happened upon that unlucky night; but Clotilde's words rang still in his ears, and even as they seemed to throb in his brain, there was a burst of light that seemed to cut the semi-darkness where they stood--the boudoir doors being thrown open--and with the light came a burst of conversation and music from the inner rooms. Those sounds seemed to be mingled with the furious oath uttered by Elbraham, who was upon the step with Lord Henry Moorpark, and Marie close behind. It was like some situation in a comedy drama, and before he could recover from his surprise he felt a sharp blow across his face, and a tiny jet of blood spurting from the puncture made by the point of a brilliant where it had entered his temple. "How dare you! Elbraham! Husband! Protect me from this man." "Protect you? By Gad I will," roared the financier, throwing his arm round his wife's waist, whilst, flushed and angry, she began to sob. "That man--that wicked man! Oh, it is shameful!" "Look here, Moorpark," cried Elbraham savagely, as Clotilde, after gazing furiously at Glen, hid her face upon her husband's shoulder, "you are a witness. By Gad I'll have an action against him--I'll have him in the Divorce Court. I'll--" "Hush, hush, my good sir!" whispered Lord Henry, who looked for the moment horror-stricken, but recovered directly sufficiently to close the door leading into the great conservatory. "But I'll--but I'll--" cried Elbraham, foaming at the mouth with rage and jealousy. "Hush, sir, pray: for your wife and her sister's sake," said Lord Henry, with dignity. "But," panted Elbraham, struggling to speak, and shaking his fist at Glen, who stood there biting his lip, and frowning. "Silence, sir!" cried Lord Henry with authority; "recollect you are a gentleman. Captain Glen, I beg and desire that you leave this house at once." "Gentlemen!" exclaimed Glen, flushing with excitement; and the words of explanation were upon his lips, but he stopped short and took a step as if to go, but turned back. "Look here, Lord Henry," he said. Then he stopped short, choking, sickened with disgust. He could not--he would not speak. "You had better leave at once, Captain Glen," said Lord Henry haughtily. "There must be no scandal here. You have insulted--" "Insulted!" panted Elbraham; "by Gad, sir--"