Frank heard it, and he realized that his efforts to shield her had been worse than useless. “As for you,” she went on, giving her husband a scornful look. “I thought I loved you once—till I saw Frank Merriwell. Now—now I despise you!” “By Jove! this is getting hot again!” thought Merry. “What fools some women are!” The man ground his teeth together and walked the floor. He threw his hat aside and tore his hair. “I knew it!” he panted. “This cheap actor has won your heart! He has alienated your affections from me!” “Don’t dare call him a cheap actor!” she exclaimed, haughtily. “He is grand and noble!” “I must make a noble picture just now,” thought Frank, in deep disgust. The words of the woman seemed to throw the man into still greater fury, and it appears that he was about to attack her. “I’ll have to defend her if he does,” Frank mentally decided. “Woman, woman!” panted the furious husband, glaring at her. “Is this what you have come to!” “It is,” she returned, defiantly. “What are you going to do about it?” “I’ll kill you—I’ll kill you both!” “A man who threatens that way seldom carries out his threats,” was Merry’s consoling thought. “Go ahead,” defied the woman. “I rather think Frank Merriwell can protect me.” “Protect you! I am the one to protect you! And you have turned to this common actor!” “‘Cheap actor!’ ‘Common actor!’” muttered Merry. “This is real jolly!” “You protect me!” sneered the woman. “I am done with you! I shall leave you forever!” “And this wretch has caused it all. You cannot deny that!” “I do not wish to deny it. Ever since his eyes met mine, I have felt myself drawn to him by an irresistible influence.” “He has hypnotized you! Oh, he shall pay dearly for this!” The husband shook his fist at Frank. “He has won my heart, and I can never be anything to you again,” laughed the reckless woman. “Oh, you scoundrel!” shouted the man. “You have ruined my happiness! I swear you shall pay for it!” “I think I have stood quite enough of this!” Merry broke out. “I deny that I have interfered with you in any way.” “How can you deny it—liar?” “If you dare use such language again, I’ll be tempted to give you the thrashing you seem to desire, sir!” flashed Frank. “I am very sorry this unfortunate affair has taken place, but I declare it is in no way my fault. At first I was inclined to protect this lady, but she has seen fit to make that impossible, and now I feel at liberty to tell the whole truth.” “Tell it! tell it—if you dare!” “I will, in a very few words. I confess that your wife threw me flowers from a box last night, and she came here to meet me to-day.” “Then there was an appointment?” “No! I did not know she was coming. She did not send up her card, but the boy said a lady wished to see me in the parlor. I believe every man should be as gallant to ladies as circumstances will permit.” “Oh, yes!” sneered the husband, his lips curling.