“To queer your game, my friend. I thought it would be amusing to show all your pretty conspirators that the gaff was blown.” “I’m free to ask anyone to my own house. I’m master here, and the sooner you learn it the better. Are you aware that you’ve insulted the whole of my guests?” “I flattered myself I behaved with peculiar courtesy,” said Lady Edna. “It’s you who are being rude to them. You had better go back. Are you coming down to Moulsford to-morrow?” “No, I’m damned if I am!” He flung away from her, then turned. “By God! you shall pay for this.” “Willingly. It’s worth a lot.” He glowered at her impotently. What scene could he make other than one of vulgar recrimination? She had caught him in a domestic lie and a public act of treachery. For the moment his wife had all the weapons. So they stood there in the rosy light of the hall, deadly enemies; she triumphant, radiant in her scornful beauty; he small, thin, foxy and malignant. Presently, with a laugh she moved to the front door. “I never thought you particularly clever, Edgar,” she said. “But in diplomatic crudity you could give lessons to the Wilhelmstrasse.” With which Parthian shot she opened the door and rejoined her friends in the car. “Forgive me, dear people,” she said, settling in her place. “I’ve been having the time of my life.” * * * * * She returned to town with her guests on Monday morning, but did not see her husband until late in the afternoon, when, on his return from the Ministry, he found her alone in her sitting-room. “My dear Edna,” said he, in a conciliatory tone, “we owe each other a little mutual understanding. It’s so undignified to quarrel.” She put the book she was reading pages downward on her knee. “Most undignified,” she assented. “You were rather under a misapprehension as to Saturday night.” “I’m glad to hear it,” she said, “for I was going to ask you a question.” “What was that?” “Have you sent in your resignation to the Prime Minister?” “No, no. Of course not. That’s where your error in judgment, if I may be allowed to say so, comes in. I’m aware I couldn’t be seen publicly with that crowd. I had to manage a secret meeting. But it was in order to get them on our side. I thought a frank discussion with them might produce good results.” “Has it?” “I think so,” said he. “Oh yes, I think so. I’m speaking at Bristol to-night. You’ll see from my speech what my position is. I mean to define it unmistakably.” “I’m glad to hear it.” She turned away, hating him and despising him more than ever. She passed a hideous day, overwhelmed with fears of treason and disaster.