'Aren't you forgetting yourself, my good woman, in using such language? Or are you, as I thought at first, a little mad?' Having given me one, she gave him one too. 'And pray, Douglas, why should you behave in such an extraordinary fashion merely because this person talks as if she were insane?' He did not reply at once. Instead, he turned his back and walked away from us across the room. When I saw his face again he looked more like he ought to. He stood before the fireplace, and, in his turn, set up to be haughty. But it didn't sit so well on him as it did upon his sister. I should say that it came to her by nature--while he had to practise how to do it. 'I am placed in a difficult position.' 'I don't see it. Why don't you answer her question?' 'Because I have no answer to give her.' 'You mean that you don't know what has become of her husband?' 'Absolutely nothing.' The young lady turned to me. 'You hear what my brother says.' 'I hear; but you must excuse my saying, miss, I mean my lady, that I don't believe him.' 'Why should you doubt my brother's word?' 'Don't you--after what you've just now seen?' She bit her lip. 'Impertinent creature!' she said, as she turned away. But I knew she doubted too. I put a question on my own. 'Mr. Howarth, sir, why did you give Mr. FitzHoward a five-pound note to make you known to my husband under a false name?' 'Pure curiosity. Your husband gave a rather remarkable exhibition. As the person you allude to seemed to think that I ought to have some sort of a name I gave the first which occurred to me. By the way, your husband himself seems to have had what you call a false name.' 'Yes, sir, but that's different; as you know very well. Although he is a gentleman, he's not in the position you are. And what was it you wanted to say to him that Sunday morning at the York Hotel?' He put his shoulders up, and smiled as if, at least, my question did amuse him. 'All sorts of things, my dear Mrs. Merrett. I'm afraid I'm not able, at this distance of time, to furnish you with a particular catalogue. I found your husband a somewhat interesting person; and as interesting persons are rare we sharpened our wits together on a variety of topics. I did not suppose that I should have to pay so severe a penalty for having found his society amusing. Now that matters appear to stand on a somewhat more agreeable footing, let me ask you a question or two in my turn. Do I understand you to say that your husband has--what shall I call it--disappeared?' 'I have not seen him since that Sunday morning; as you know very well.'