This complimentary train of thought was interrupted by its object. Walter Fane, looking sleepy and dishevelled, entered the room. His wife, who was richly and carefully dressed, looked at him with a serene air, not without a touch of contempt. "I am expecting visitors," said she, in her calm way. "Don't you think you had better brush yourself up?" "I don't intend to stop," replied Walter, listlessly staring out of the window. "All the better. I don't care for tame cats," said Mrs. Fane. "A man should be out in the open air, or at business." "You won't let me attend to the business," said Walter, shrugging. "If you were a man you would attend to it without my sanction. But some one in this house must see to things, and if you won't the burden must devolve on my shoulders." "As you please," said Fane, and sat down on the floor beside Minnie. "It's pleasant enough playing with this darling." "I believe your brain is softening," said his wife, with a shadow of anxiety. "Why don't you go for a yachting tour?" "I shall never yacht again, Julia. You will no longer have to complain of my long absences. When is the house to be sold?" "In a month. I am arranging the business now. We will then go to Switzerland." "I hate Switzerland." "Since you have decided to yacht no more, it doesn't matter if you live there," said Mrs. Fane. "But you can choose your own place of residence. It's all one to me, so long as I can see after the business." "I don't see that we need go abroad at all," said Fane sullenly. "I see the necessity, and a very great one," retorted Mrs. Fane, with a flash of her eyes. "Be guided by me, Walter. I know what is good for you. And do get up from the floor. Laura will be in soon." "Fane rose reluctantly. I was sleeping this afternoon," he said, and yet feel tired. "I think I'll dine at the club and go to the theatre." "As you please," said Mrs. Fane quietly, "so long as you don't trouble me. And don't make love to any other woman," she added. "Julia," said Fane, pausing at the door, "do you really care for me as much as that?" "My dear, every one has a weakness; pride is mine. I like you. I have an affection for you, else I should not have married you. So long as you look handsome and are well dressed, and show me the deference of a chivalrous man to his lawful wife, I have no complaint to make. But if you go after other women, and make me a laughing-stock amongst my friends," added Mrs. Fane, drawing a deep breath, "I should not spare you." Fane laughed, though rather uneasily. "One would think you would do me an injury," he said, with another shrug. Mrs. Fane raised her eyes and looked at him steadily. "I might even do that," she replied. "Don't hurt my pride, whatever you do. And if you desert me in favour of----" "There's no chance of my doing that," said Walter irritably. "I declare to heaven that I'm fond of you, Julia." "That is as it should be," retorted Mrs. Fane.