"That is neither here nor there," said Prelice, wishing to shield Constance from the mean wrath of the little man. "Later on the police can explain." "The police--the police!" Dolly grew as white as a sheet. Constance laid her hand on his shoulder. "Don't be afraid, Dolly; I do not believe that you killed that man Agstone." Dolly brushed her hand away, with the snarl of a terrified cat. "Keep yourself to yourself," he snapped, showing his teeth. "You hate me, so you need not defend me." "I don't love you," answered Constance bitterly. "I have small cause to, considering the way in which you tricked me. All the same, I do not wish to see you get into trouble over a crime which I truly believe you had not pluck enough to commit." "You are quite right," retorted her husband shamelessly. "I never did have pluck enough to kill a fly, much less a human being. I should have stabbed your lover long ago if I had." "Shepworth is not Mrs. Rover's lover," said Prelice, quietly. "He is. She is always howling after him," taunted the venomous little man; "but she sold herself to me, and----" "And you did not pay the price," said Constance, scornful and still. "No," Dolly chuckled. "I got the better of you there. But you are my wife now, and I'll make you pay. Shepworth can marry that criminal girl whenever he likes. I hope he will, so as to torment you." Mrs. Rover's eyes flashed. "Ned shall never marry----" she began, when Prelice made a sign to her to keep the secret of the new engagement, and spoke himself, coldly and sternly. "Miss Chent's character has been perfectly cleared by her acquittal, Mr. Rover, and if you dare to say a word against her I shall throw you out of the window." "How brave you are in defending Shepworth's bride," said Dolly, wincing at the flash in Prelice's blue eyes. "I am," replied the other, not contradicting the mistake under which he saw Dolly laboured; "but as yet you have not proved your innocence." "There is no need to prove it." Rover's voice whimpered unsteadily. "It is ridiculous to accuse me." "This dress was hidden in your cupboard," insisted Prelice. "What of that? This room was used as a place for the coats and hats of the men who came to the ball. Any one of them might have hidden the domino and frock there. I did not. I received my guests unmasked, and afterwards put on a black silk domino." "Ah!" Prelice took a step forward, "then it was you who appeared in Shepworth's dining-room, and who gave the alarm." "Yes; it was me. I came down to see Shepworth, and to make it plain to him that he was not to make love any longer to my wife." "He never did make love since our marriage," flashed out Constance with scorn. "Ned has been true to honour, as I have been." Prelice raised a hand to stop a promising quarrel between the ill-matched couple.