“I have come this morning, Mrs. Leslie, for several things. In the first place I wish to congratulate you on the fact that Joe’s terrible secret, as I made it out, was after all so simple a thing. Your wifely trust and devotion had their reward and I can appreciate the feeling of satisfaction you now possess because of your trust which I could not wholly beat down, in spite of the proofs I brought, and which must have appeared ‘strong as holy writ’.” This was artful of Eric—he thought to destroy the barrier by a little flattery, knowing all the while that Lillian had really been jealous. It told too. The fair lady smiled upon him once more. “I am happy because our bugaboo turned out to be only a pipe, and Joe has gone off this morning with a cigar—he shall smoke when he pleases after this.” “And you?” “I find that the odor from a good cigar is rather attractive. At any rate, Joe has done so much for me that I can afford to give in to one little vice of his. To think of the poor dear fellow hiding himself away like that. It makes me almost cry to think how miserably cruel I have been to him. But I mean to make it up to Joe in the future, Mr. Darrell.” Eric swallowed a lump that seemed to be sticking in his throat. This, the woman whom he suspected of being false to her husband—he did not know how it was, but whenever he came into her presence he seemed to be in some way charmed. She was a siren. The same power, exercised by the nymphs of the sea in olden days, causing the sailors to jump over to their death, is given to certain of the gentler sex to-day. Adam sunk all his manhood and forgot his duty to his Maker when tempted by Eve, and from that day to this few men there are strong enough to do the right when a beautiful woman smiles upon them and teaches them the lesson of love. It would be impossible to describe the influence Lillian had upon nearly all who came in contact with her—her manner was soothing and pleasant, so that general admiration followed her acquaintance. Darrell was a man of strong purposes and he put down with a firm hand any feeling that interfered with his stern sense of duty. In a business way he was here to see whether Lillian was what she appeared to be, or deceptive by nature. Hence he was not to be charmed from his purpose in any way. The human feeling of admiration must give way to the professional energy. “You spoke of several reasons for calling to see me, Mr. Darrell—will you kindly state what the others are?” she asked. “With pleasure, and I trust you will not feel offended, my dear Mrs. Leslie. It is a custom on my part in a case like this, to take from the party with whom I have been engaged, a little note, stating that they have been well satisfied with my services. I hope you may not think it out of the way and give me this.” She appeared troubled. “I do not know that I ought to—such an affair is essentially private.”