“How could he? Besides, Elsie darling, he’s got to know about us some time. I wish you’d let me tell him now. I can’t go on like this; it’s a low-down game coming to a man’s house without his knowledge and--and making love to his wife.” “His wife!” said Elsie angrily. “Don’t call me that. I may be his wife in law, but it’s you that I really belong to.” “Well, let me have it out with him then,” said Morrison earnestly. “We don’t know, after all. He may be ready to do the decent thing, and set you free.” “I don’t care if you do. I’m pretty sure he guesses.... Horace has always been jealous, though he’s never had any cause before.” “He didn’t say anything at Torquay?” “No, it’s since we got back. He asked me once if you were engaged to Geraldine, and I said no. And he asked if you meant to come and see us here, and I told him most likely you would. He didn’t say anything much, but he hates a man coming near the place, really.” “I’d far rather have it out with him,” young Morrison repeated. His face was resolute, and he stood his ground when Elsie, starting violently, exclaimed: “I believe that’s Horace now! I can hear his key in the door. He’s never in at this hour as a rule--the skunk, he’s come to spy on me!” “Darling, it’s all right!” said Morrison. He put the photograph away in his breast-pocket with hands that trembled slightly. Both fixed their eyes on the door as it opened upon the figure of the little elderly solicitor. His face wore a no more sardonic expression than was habitual with him, and Elsie could not deduce from it whether or not he was surprised to see Leslie Morrison. Neither man made any movement towards shaking hands, but they greeted one another conventionally, and talked a little, as though indifferently, of the holiday at Torquay. Leslie asked whether Mr. Williams was any better in health, and the solicitor replied coldly: “No, I am no better. I daresay my case would be a very interesting one, from the point of view of a doctor. But I am not one to give up, and I have no doubt that a great many people do not realise there is anything the matter with me.” He turned his eyes upon Elsie for a moment as he spoke. At the same instant, the inevitable thought that had flashed through her mind at his words caused Elsie to cast a lightning glance towards Leslie Morrison. It was that glance that her husband intercepted. V They had another evening together before the storm broke. Morrison took Elsie to a dance. He issued his invitation boldly, in the presence of Williams, and to Elsie’s secret astonishment, her husband made no objection to her acceptance.