"Yes, yes, I know," she cried, in a glow of ecstatic feeling. "I desire it so. I wish you to be my master. Your service will be sweet; your savage strength will be my joy." And while they sat planning their future life, Gordon's footstep echoed in the hall. CHAPTER XXVIII THE GROWL OF THE ANIMAL When Gordon entered the library he glanced uneasily at his wife and she smiled in insolent composure. Overman rose hastily. "Sorry the weather was so threatening I couldn't persuade your wife to go to the Temple, Frank." "Yes, the rain is pouring in torrents and it's getting colder," he answered, rubbing his hands before the fire. "I'll not stay to dinner; I've an engagement at my club," the banker said, briskly. The one eye ran from the man to the woman in embarrassment at the threatening silence. Kate walked with him to the door. "You will return at seven o'clock," she said, in even tones. "If you command it," he coolly answered. "I do. We will have our parting this afternoon. He can remove to his old quarters at the hotel. I will receive you alone, and we will arrange for the divorce and our marriage." "Promptly at seven," he said, crushing her hand in his parting grasp. Gordon ate his dinner in obstinate quiet, now and then looking at his wife's dazzling beauty with fevered yearning in his eyes. When she rose from the table he said: "I wish to speak with you in the library, my dear." "Very well, I'll be down directly," she carelessly replied. He paced the floor for half an hour, and rang for the maid. "Tell your mistress I am waiting," he said, abruptly. The maid did not return, and his anger grew with each lengthening minute. At the end of an hour, Kate appeared. He fixed her with a look of angry amazement. "Well, what is it?" she asked, impatiently. "Why did you keep your maid and send no answer to me?" "I was writing a letter. Are you a king? What is it?" she repeated, coldly. "I wish to say something of the utmost importance both to you and to me, and to another man," he said slowly, in a voice pulsing with a storm of emotion. The violet eyes danced and laughed in his face. "So tragic?" she asked, mockingly. He locked his big hands nervously behind him, stood before the fire, and a scowl settled over his face. "Yes," he said, with quiet force. "More than you understand, I fear. I have had enough of Mark Overman in this house." The fair face flushed with excitement. She walked quickly up to him, paused, and slowly pointed to the door. "Very well. This is my house. You know the way to the hotel, or shall I ring for my maid to show you?" He stared at her in a stupor, and a sense of sickening terror choked him. "Kate, are you crazy?" he stammered. "Never was more myself than in this moment of perfect freedom," she replied, defiantly.