"Aren't you mistaken?" she said, without conviction. "Mistaken!" The girl wrenched herself erect. "Last night I saw her in his arms." "Amy!" "I saw them--here--in my own house! Stella was here when Fred came home from Newark--I guess she knew he was coming--and he made her take off her things and stay to supper. It wasn't a good supper. The gas-range wouldn't work, and I'd forgotten to put Fred's beer in the ice-box. I was hot and cross from standing over the fire, and hadn't a minute to do my hair. I saw Fred looking from me to Stella, who was dressed to kill, and I knew what he thought. I could have cried right there. I don't know how I got through the meal, but it ended somehow, and they went off into the parlor, leaving me to clear away the things. I washed the dishes up, for, company or not, I hate to let them stand over until morning; and then fixed myself a little to go where they were. I must have got through sooner than they expected. I saw him kiss her as plain as I see you." "Did they know you saw them?" "I let them know," rejoined Amy, with a heart-breaking laugh. "I'll bet her ears burn yet. I ordered her out of the house, and she went, double-quick!" "And he?" The light died out of Amy's face. "Fred went, too," she said numbly. "I haven't seen him since. I'll never see him again, I guess. I'm the most miserable girl alive! What shall I do? What shall I do?" "Divorce the scoundrel," counseled Jean, promptly. "I'll take care of the lawyer. I'll employ detectives, too, if you need more evidence, as I suppose you will. He must be made to pay alimony. But you've nothing to fear, even if you don't get a cent. You earned your living once; you can do it again. Be rid of him at once." Amy turned her face away. "You don't know," she moaned. "What is it I don't know?" "The truth--the real truth." "You mean you still care for him?" "I do care for him--I always shall--but that's not what I mean. I can't divorce Fred. I'm not--not his wife." Jean sprang to her feet. "You're not married!" A spasm of anguish racked the shrinking form. "Not--not yet." Jean stood in rigid dismay, striving to read this enigma. "Not yet," she repeated slowly. "Did you believe, Amy, _could_ you believe, he ever meant to deal honestly with you?" "Yes!" The girl turned passionately. "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! He couldn't at first. His wife had divorced him, and he wasn't allowed to remarry for three years. The time wasn't up when we met again; it wasn't up when we began to live together. It seemed so long to wait. I trusted him. I loved him." "But now? He is free now?" "Yes." "And does nothing!" "We--we put it off." "You mean, he put it off. Amy! Amy! Can't you realize that he is worthless? Can't you understand that you must root him out of your life? Face this like a brave woman. I'll help you make a fresh start. Be independent. Cut yourself off from him completely. Do it now--now!" Amy's haggard eyes were unresponsive.