"I am Angus Herries' cousin," said Miss Tedder sharply, sitting bolt upright, and keeping her hands in her muff; then when Elspeth simply nodded, she added, "And you are his wife?" Elspeth bowed again. "Why have you come here?" she asked quietly. The Dresden-china beauty laughed. "To see the woman who has taken my leavings," she said insolently. "You see her," replied Mrs. Herries calmly. "Well?" This behaviour disconcerted Maud. She would have preferred Elspeth to have risen in a royal rage, but the girl was perfectly calm, and would supply no fuel for burning. "I don't think much of you," she snapped, with a hard stare. "Really? Did you come to tell me this?" "Partly, and also to congratulate you that Angus will be hanged." Elspeth started and clasped her hands tightly to prevent herself getting into a passion. "Why do you think that is a matter of congratulation?" she demanded, in a choked voice. "Because he's a beast," burst out Maud, losing her temper in the face of this coolness, "he was once engaged to me and treated me shamefully." "No, he did not. He treated you only too kindly." "What do you know about it?" "All that Angus could tell me." "Ah. He had to make his own case good." "There was no need to with me," said Elspeth coldly, but a spot of vivid red burned on each cheek. "I know Angus well." "But not so well as I do," cried Miss Tedder, anxious to break down her companion's composure. "Angus made me love him, and then left me all alone. He broke my heart," this with a truly effective sob. "Rubbish," said Elspeth, rising quickly. "Say that to a man and not to another woman. Angus had a passing fancy for you, and you threw him over at the bidding of your father." "He had more than a fancy. He adored me." "Then why did he leave you?" "Papa would not let me marry him; but if Angus had remained true to me, I should have remained true to him." "Instead of taking up with Captain Bruce Kyles, I suppose," sneered Elspeth, resolved to sting in her turn. Maud started to her feet in a fury. "How dare you talk to me like this? You who are no better than a servant, and who will soon be a murderer's widow." "No," cried Mrs. Herries imperatively, and facing the other girl boldly, "I intend to save my husband's life." "You can't do it without me." "You," Elspeth turned like a tigress on her visitor, "what do you know about it?" Maud felt rather afraid when this fragile girl flashed out in this way. "I know that Angus is guilty," she said obstinately. "Then how can you save him?" "I can get some one to give evidence that he is innocent." "Who?" "I'll tell you--on conditions." "Oh, on conditions. And what are they?" "My father," explained Maud calmly, "left all his money, save a miserable thousand a year, to Angus. That is not fair."