"I'm not easily startled, madam. My nerves are in good working order." "Are they? Then I'll put them to the test." Mrs. Belswin suddenly threw back her veil and bent forward so that her face was in the strong light, whereupon Silas gave a whoop like a wild Indian, bounded from his chair and gasped. "I'm afraid you over-estimate the working order of your nerves, Silas," said Mrs. Belswin, scoffingly; and then leaning back in her chair, waited for Mr. Oates to make the next move in the game. "Great Scott! It's Mrs. Pethram. I thought you were dead!" "And wished it too, I've no doubt," said Mrs. Belswin, bitterly. "Well, are you not glad to see me?" "No!" replied Silas, truthfully; "I'm uncommon sorry." "Ah! you've learned to speak the truth since I saw you last," observed the lady, raising her eyebrows, "otherwise you're not much changed. The same ugly little monkey with whom I ran away from New Zealand. I've often wondered why I did run away with you," pursued Mrs. Belswin with charming candour, "and now I see you again I wonder more than ever." Silas grinned in an uneasy manner. He would have preferred her to be less cool, to pay more deference to his position, but she seemed as candid as ever, and he almost expected to have something damaging flung at his head, as had been her custom in the old days. It was a very disagreeable position, so Silas rose to the occasion, and immediately set to work to emulate her coolness, and find out how he could circumvent this unwelcome visitor from the past. "I see you're still in the vinegar line," he said easily, resuming his seat. "I guess you did turn me over for a bit. It takes a pretty stiff dose to do that, but this time you've raised Cain proper." They were delightfully amiable to one another, the more so as a feeling of distrust pervaded the whole conversation; but as Mrs. Belswin wanted to waste no time, in case the wife of her former lover should turn up, she opened fire at once-- "I dare say you're surprised to see me." "It's no good beating round the bush. I'm surprised and sorry." "You'll be sorrier before I've done with you." "Hello! What are y' going to show your teeth about?" "Nothing, if you'll do what I ask."