"Let him consider me first. I made a bargain with him, and he accepted, knowing that I loved Ned, and not him. He has broken that bargain in the meanest manner, and my father died of sheer worry through the breaking of it. Now I have to stifle my deep love for Ned, and act the part of a loving wife. I feel like a hypocrite." "I don't think you need, Constance. People say that you treat Rover badly. It is as well that you should know." "I do know. I have heard that before. But Dolly himself put that story about. I don't love him, and I don't pretend to; but I am as obedient and kind as I can be. I told you that I treated him like a dog. So I do, like a pet dog, a dog that is fed up and smoothed and cosseted and given cream and meat and all the things poodle dogs like; but Dolly goes about posing as a husband that is badly treated. He does not dare to say that I have deceived him, however," she added, drawing a deep breath; "he would suffer for it if he did. Miserable as I am, I abide by the bargain which he broke." "But what is to be the end of it?" "I don't know. I don't know," wailed Mrs. Rover, pacing the room, and holding her hands to her head. "I really believe that Dolly wants to see me disgraced. He took these flats above Ned's in spite of my protestations. I want him to go away, but he won't." "Oh," said Prelice thoughtfully, "so Mr. Rover took these flats above Ned's, did he? Purposely?" "I don't know." Constance paused, looking startled. "Why do you ask?" Lord Prelice considered. "Constance, I want you to do me a favour." "Yes." Mrs. Rover spoke softly and with an effort. "Do you think that your husband wishes to get Ned into trouble?" Constance put her hand to her head. "He hates Ned," she said at last in a strained voice, "because he knows that Ned loves me, and I do Ned. But for all his jealous watching, he cannot find anything wrong between Ned and myself. Because," she added, drawing herself up to her full height, "there is nothing wrong, and never will be." "You have not answered my question," repeated Prelice quietly. "Do you think that Rover wishes to get Ned into trouble? "Yes; I believe that he would be glad to see him dead." "Well then, Constance, answer me another question. Would you like to see your husband get into trouble?" "No," she said, with a startled air. "Dolly is a fool, and cruel, and I can scarcely endure him; all the same, I don't wish him any harm." "That is all right," said Prelice, rising. "Then I can trust you to hold your tongue?" "About what? Why are you so mysterious?" "My poor girl, I would rather hold my peace than tell you what I am about to tell; but it is necessary that you should know. If I do not move in the matter someone less friendly to you and Rover may do so, and then only God knows what would happen." "Dorry," Constance caught his hand, and passed her tongue over her dry lips slowly, "what do you mean? I have gone through so much that I'm quite able to face the worst."