“Looking back to that time I ask myself, did I like him? and my heart gives no answer. I was supremely indifferent to him, for I loved no one except my husband. I do not even remember that I felt more pleasure in seeing him than in seeing other people. I gave no thought to him. He came very often, and to my certain knowledge Sir Alfred won large sums of money from him. He would also call at times when Sir Alfred was from home and sing with me or talk to me. I can remember, too, that my husband would often leave me alone with him. “One day I was much astonished. The footman was in the room; we were at lunch, and Sir Alfred asked me: “‘Have you had any visitors this morning, Juliet?’ “I replied, with the greatest indifference: “‘Only the Duke of Launceston.’ “To my intense surprise, Sir Alfred put on the darkest of frowns. “‘Has he been here again? I wish he would not come so often.’ “Looking up suddenly, I caught a most significant smile on the servant’s face. “‘You should tell him so,’ I replied, honestly believing that Sir Alfred was thinking only of the high play that went on when the duke was present. After that I can recall a hundred different times when, before the servants, he expressed displeasure at the duke’s visits and wished they would cease. I little dreamed to what it all tended. Among all my husband’s friends he had one confidant, Captain Pierrepont, a man I detested from the very first moment I ever saw him, a man devoid of honor, truth and principle. One evening I chanced to overhear a conversation between Sir Alfred and this worthy. It was an evening in June, and I was on the balcony, enjoying the fragrance of the mignonette, when I heard their voices in the drawing-room. I was about to stay where I was when my attention was attracted by what they were saying. It was Captain Pierrepont who began: “‘Where is your lady wife, Sir Alfred?’ “‘My lady wife is out, I should imagine; I cannot find her.’ “‘I am glad of that; it is high time something or other was settled. I am getting anxious over these bills.’ “‘So am I, my worthy friend. In the language of the bard, “I am up a tree;” I have been hoping for some lucky _coup_, but fortune has been against me of late.’ “‘You must fall back upon the original plan and make my lady useful.’ “‘Yes, that must be done. I shall never have a finer chance than now. Launceston is decidedly taken, and he is the wealthiest man I know.’ “‘You must make your case a strong one, Sir Alfred.’ “‘I have sufficient evidence now--singing together, constant visits during my absence, remonstrances that I have made even in the presence of my servants. I have an invaluable footman who has seen and knows things unutterable. The British public always sides with the injured husband.’ “Then they both laughed heartily. You may imagine how simple I was when I tell you that I did not even understand what they were speaking of. “‘When shall you manage it?’ asked Captain Pierrepont.