"You're paying rather a high price for that young lady's character," he said. "A woman's character should be above any price, Colonel Darcy. We seem to have differing standards of value, which does not, however, alter the main question of whether you will accede to my conditions." "Certainly I will, and permit me to tell you that you're paying more than either of them is worth." "That is for me to decide." "Quite so. Now how do you wish me to aid in my wife's divorce?" "A statement signed by you, to the effect that you would not contest a suit for divorce--say on the grounds of incompatibility of temper, coupled by your promise of non-interference, would be sufficient. As Madame Darcy is not a Catholic, and her father is a power in his own country, she would have no trouble, legal or religious, in using such evidence." "Oh, is that all?" said the Colonel, manifestly relieved. "I supposed you wanted statutory grounds." "I wish to save your wife as much pain and annoyance as possible, and it would be well if you felt the same." "Oh!" exclaimed Darcy. "So that's the way the land lies, is it? A very interesting way for a young man who is in love with one of the women, and engaged to the other." "You'll please attend to business, and not discuss my affairs," broke in the Secretary, sharply. "Quite right, quite right; pardon me--there, it's only a few lines, but I think it will give my wife her freedom when she requires it," and he handed him a paper, adding:--"Now let me go." "Two things you've forgotten," said Stanley. "Your promise not to appear against your wife in her suit for divorce----" "That's understood!" "Do you give it?" "Yes. I promise not to appear against my wife in her suit for divorce, or in any way to impede its progress. Does that satisfy you? You'll find I'm a man of my word, Mr. Stanley, when I'm as well paid for it, as in the present case." "Now what did you expect to receive from this transaction?" "Ten per cent. on the amount distributed--say four thousand pounds." "I see. And what did you propose to give to Miss Fitzgerald?" "I said I'd share it with her." "That is, you'd each have two thousand pounds." "Exactly--but she's such a mercenary, avaricious little baggage, she struck for more; said she had the most dangerous part to perform, and by Gad! they allotted her three-fourths." "Three thousand pounds. Quite a neat little sum." "Rather! I was only to receive one thousand pounds." "Now about those letters?" Darcy looked them over hurriedly, and remarked:-- "Purely commercial." "So I supposed. But how do you explain that sentence in your letter, in which you refer to there being a happy future for both of you?" The Colonel thrust his hands in his pockets, and looked the Secretary squarely in the face. "See here, Stanley," he said. "I'm not altogether a cad, and I'll be damned if I explain any more." The Secretary flushed, and there was an awkward silence, which he broke by speaking nervously.