There was not light enough for Sewell to see the scornful curl of his wife's lip at this speech; but in the little short cough by which she suppressed her temptation to reply, he noted her indignation. “I know he's one of your especial favorites, Madam,” said he, harshly; “but even _that_ gives him no immunity with me.” “I 'm sure I could never think it would.” “No; not even from being aware that one of his chief claims upon the wife was the unhandsome way he spoke of the husband.” “He seldom mentions you,” said she, superciliously. “I am not so scrupulous about him, then; I have not forgotten his conduct when that fellow got his skull cracked at the Nest. I saw it all, Madam; but I have a trick of seeing and saying nothing that might have suggested some alarm to you ere this.” “You have many tricks, but not one that alarms me,” said she, coldly; “the wholesome fear of consequences will always be enough to keep you harmless.” He almost sprang at her at these words; indeed, he came so close that his hot breath brushed her face. “It is a favorite taunt of yours to sneer at my courage,” said he, fiercely; “you may do it once too often.” She shrugged her shoulders contemptuously, and slowly arose from where she sat. “Where are you going?” asked he, roughly. “Going in.” “I have many things to say yet; I want to hear more, too, about the old man's illness.” “I have told you all I know. Good-night.” He turned away without acknowledging her salutation, and strolled into the grass. What a web of troubles he was involved in, and how hopelessly he turned from this or that expedient to extricate himself! It was but a short time before that, as a member of the committee of his Club, he had succeeded in passing a law by which all play debts should be discharged within twenty-four hours, on penalty of the defaulter being declared excluded from the Club. He was a winner at the time; but now luck had changed: he had lost heavily, and had not the slightest prospect of being able to meet his losses. “How like my fate!” muttered he, in intense passion,--“how like my fate! my whole life has been a game I have played against myself. And that woman, too,”--it was of his wife he spoke,--“who once helped me through many a strait, assumes now to be too pure and too virtuous to be my associate, and stands quietly aloof to see me ruined.”