"I tell you I don't want any interference in my domestic affairs, so shut up, or you and I won't agree. Do you hear that--once and for all?" replied Ansell determinedly, thrusting his bony face into that of this companion. The latter shrugged his shoulders, and merely remarked: "Well, you surprise me greatly." Of a sudden, however, Jean, with a quick movement, sprang towards her husband, who had already put on his coat and cap, and placed the revolver in his pocket preparatory to departing upon his midnight adventure. She seized him by both wrists and, throwing herself wildly upon her knees, begged and implored him not to go. "For my sake, Ralph, don't go!" she urged. "Don't go! Give up the project! Work and lead an honest life, I beg of you." "Honest life!" he laughed with a sneer. "Can you imagine me sitting in an office all day, adding up figures, or writing letters for some other thief with a brass plate on his office door? No, I'm not cut out for that, I assure you," he added. "But for my sake, don't go," she urged again, his hands still in hers, for she held them firmly, and placed them to her lips. His confession that he was a thief had fallen upon her, and for the first few moments had held her speechless, but now she had found tongue, and even though the disgraceful truth was out, her first thought was for his safety. "You're a confounded little fool!" he declared, roughly. "Let me go. Come on, Adolphe! We haven't any use for women's tears." And he twisted her hands roughly so that she was compelled to relinquish her hold. He was leaving the room, but again she caught him, clinging to him resolutely, and beseeching him to heed her word. This angered him. His face was pale, his eyes flashed quickly and, gripping her by the right hand, he raised his fist to strike her. In a flash, however, Carlier, who stood with his hat on ready to depart, sprang in from behind, and gripped the brute's arm, shouting: "No, you shall not strike her--not while I am present! Come away, you infernal coward!" Jean gave vent to a hysterical shriek, and shook herself free, but ere she could realise what had actually happened, the two men, without further word, had left the room, her husband slamming the door after him with a fierce imprecation. Then she stood alone, white-faced, terrified, heart-broken. Ralph Ansell had at last shown himself in his true colours--a thief, a bully, a coward, and a blackguard. And yet she had loved him until that hour--loved him with all the strength of her being--loved him as she had loved no other man in her whole life. She had lived only for him, and she would have willingly died for him had he not raised his hand against her. But she stood in the centre of that meagre little room, staring straight before her, her countenance white to the lips, her big, dark eyes fixed like one in a dream. Poor Jean! Even then her brain was awhirl. She could scarcely realise the grim, terrible truth.