"No! and when I charged you with your perfidy, and wept and upbraided you, and then became pacified when you told me that every proof of your marriage with that other was in your control, you did not dream that I would feign submission until I had gained possession of the proofs of both your marriages, and then run away?" "And succeed in baffling my search for ten long years," supplemented he, grandiloquently. "No, fair dame, I did not." "Your search, indeed! It was not a very eager one." "Well, in truth it was not. The fact is, your beauty entrapped me into that very foolish marriage; but I was a trifle weary of blonde loveliness in tears, etc., so I didn't get out the entire police force, you see." "And you wouldn't have found me if you had." "Indeed! why not?" "Because, if it will afford you any satisfaction to know at this late stage of the game, I sailed for Europe the very day I quitted your house." "No!" opening his eyes in genuine astonishment. "Had it all cut and dried? Well, I like that! Why, little woman, if you had only developed one half the pluck latent in you, before you flitted, I would never have given you 'just cause,' etc., for leaving me." The woman smiled triumphantly, but made no other answer. "Well, what next? I am really becoming interested in your career." "Sorry I can't gratify your curiosity. My career has been a very pleasant one--seeing the world; generally prosperous. And this brings me back to the starting point: why should you think, because I left you with good cause, ten years ago, that I must necessarily forsake, sooner or later, a husband who is kindness itself, and who leaves no wish of mine ungratified?" "First reason," checking them off on his fingers: "Because you don't love this old man, and love is the only bond that such women as you will not break." "Thanks!" ironically, bending her head. "Second, because a dull country house, be it ever so elegant, will not long satisfy you as an abiding place. I have not forgotten your girlish taste for pomp, pageant and all manner of excitement; a taste that has doubtless become fully developed by now. Third, because you have, at this present moment, a lover whom you prefer above all others, and to whom you will flee sooner or later." "Perhaps you can substantiate that statement," sneered Cora. "Well, not exactly; but I know women. My dear, say what you please to me, but don't expect to be believed if you will insist upon doing the devoted wife."