"There, then, does not that satisfy you? Why, man, if everyone who has a handsome wife were to act like this, what a world we should have. So much, then, for your wife. Now, then, about this man--what of him? He is polished and refined, and pays your wife attentions. Well, so would any foreigner under the circumstances. Shame, man, shame; he is your guest, the guest, too, of a woman whose truth you know--whose whole life is beyond suspicion. You leave her every day to go here or there, and does she ask you where you have been--what you have done? Does she suspect you? Why, Dutch Pugh, you wretched maniac, if she saw you talking to a score of pretty women how would she act? I'll tell you. She'd open those sweet, candid eyes of hers, and beam upon you, and no more doubt your truth than that of Heaven." "And I'll not doubt yours, darling," he muttered, going to the desk, taking out the photograph, kissing it before putting it back; and then, tightening his lips, he took his seat, fixed his attention upon his work, and grew so intent that the next time he looked at his watch it was close upon nine, when, in a calm, matter-of-fact way, he walked all the way home. In spite of his determination, he could not help seeing that Hester looked pale and troubled when he entered the little drawing-room, and that her manner was strange and constrained. She met his gaze in a timid way, and without doubt her hand trembled. He would not notice her, though, but began chatting to them, Laure being in the highest of spirits and relating anecdotes of his travels till Dutch felt in the best of spirits, and it was near midnight when they all rose for bed, Hester looking very pallid though--so much so that Dutch noticed it. "Are you quite well, dear?" he asked. She raised her eyes, and was about to speak when she caught Laure's eyes fixed upon her in a strange manner, and she replied hastily-- "Oh, yes, dear, quite, quite well?" "You don't feel any of your old symptoms?" "Oh, no," she replied, smiling. "You are so anxious about me." "No wonder," said Laure, "with such a pearl of a wife. Well, I must to bed. Good-night, dear host and hostess." He advanced to Hester Pugh and kissed her hand, turning directly to Dutch and pressing his so affectionately that the young Englishman returned the grip with such interest that the Cuban winced, and then smiled as he saw in Dutch's eyes how honest and true was the intent. "I was sorry to be detained to-night," continued Dutch frankly; "it must be very dull here. Look here, Hester, I've asked John Studwick and his sister and Mr Meldon, a doctor, to dinner on Thursday. Send a letter to Miss Studwick yourself and ask Mr Parkley as well, so as to have a pleasant evening." Hester Pugh brightened up directly, and began to talk of the arrangements for the dinner, while the Cuban went off with a peculiar smile upon his face.