This was an almost involuntary utterance on the part of Mrs. Wilkinson. "Her poor husband, rather say," was the reply. "The fact is, if Ellis goes to ruin, it will be his wife's fault. She has no sympathy with him, no affectionate consideration for him. A thoroughly selfish woman, she merely regards the gratification of her own desires, and is ever making home repulsive, instead of attractive." "You must be mistaken." "No. Ellis often complains to me of her conduct." "Why, John! I can scarcely credit such a thing." "Doubtless it is hard for _you_ to imagine any woman guilty of such unwifelike conduct. Yet such is the case. Many a night has Ellis spent at a tavern, which, but for Cara's unamiable temper, would have been spent at home." "Ah! she will have her reward," sighed Mrs. Wilkinson. "And you yours," was the involuntary but silent ejaculation of Wilkinson. Ere further remark was made, the dinner-bell rang, and Mr. Wilkinson and his wife repaired to the dining-room. It was not possible for the former to endure the pressure that was on his feelings without letting the fact of its existence betray itself in his countenance; and Mary, whose eyes were scarcely a moment from her husband's face, soon saw that his mind was ill at ease. "How much did Mr. Ellis borrow of you?" she asked, soon after they had taken their places at the table. "Two hundred dollars," was replied. "No more?" The mind of Mrs. Wilkinson was evidently relieved, at knowing the smallness of the sum. "True, it isn't much," said Wilkinson. "But even a small sum is of great importance when we have a good deal to pay, and just lack that amount, after gathering in all our available resources. And that was just my position to-day." "Why didn't you call on me?" Mary smiled, with evident meaning as she said this. "On you!" Wilkinson looked at her with a slight air of surprise. "Yes, on me. I think I could have made you up that sum." "You!" A bright gleam went over the face of Mrs. Wilkinson, as she saw the surprise of her husband. "Yes, me. Why not? You have always been liberal in your supplies of money, and it is by no means wonderful that I should have saved a little. The fact is, John, I've never spent my entire income; I always made it a point of conscience to keep as far below it as possible." "Mary!" Beyond this simple ejaculation, Wilkinson could not go, but sat, with his eyes fixed wonderingly on the face of his wife. "It is true, dear," she answered, in her loving gentle way. "I haven't counted up lately; but, if I do not err, I have twice the sum you needed to-day; and, what is more, the whole is at your service. So don't let this matter of Ellis's failure to return you the sum borrowed, trouble you in the least. If it never comes back to you, the loss will be made up in another quarter."