"I do not know," retorted Olive, with some heat. "I did not see her face, nor would I have recognized her if I had. Your associates are not mine." "Still, I do not understand," said Angus composedly, but seemingly relieved. "There are none so blind as those who won't see. I was taking a walk just now, and I saw you speaking to a woman under the gas-lamp opposite this hotel. Dare you deny it?" "I don't deny it. Why should I?" "Angus, how can you be so shameless? I saw--I saw--that--well, that you were more than friendly with her." "You seem to have seen a great deal," sneered Carson, coolly. "May I ask what right you have to spy upon my actions?" "What right? The right of your wife." "Pardon me, you are not my wife," he returned ironically. "You are my partner in a business transaction. I thought we were agreed on that point once and for all." "When do you go to London again?" she asked. "To-morrow," he answered. "Have you anything to urge against my going?" "No; I claim no right to control your actions. I can only say that as you agreed, for a large sum of money, to act as my nominal husband, you should fulfil your part of the bargain so far as to treat me with respect." "And how have I failed to do so?" "By meeting that woman to-night." "Nonsense! No one saw me but yourself; and I must deny your right to call me to account in any way. However, that has nothing to do with my going to London. Have you any objection to that?" "I would advise you to stop there. I never wish to see you again." "The wish is mutual, I assure you," said Carson, rising in his turn. "I am glad that we have come to an understanding at last. I will do as you suggest." "I think it very much better that you should. Our marriage is a very great mistake." "Pardon me, I do not agree with you. It is surely an unqualified success, inasmuch as we have both attained our aim. But any blame there is must attach itself to you as much as to me. You might, of course, under ordinary circumstances, have had the right to object to my meeting a lady as I did; as it is, you can have no shadow of a right to do so." "At least, you might conduct yourself as a gentleman whilst you are here," returned Olive bitterly. "But I suppose that is asking too much." "A great deal too much; you can ask me nothing." Carson shrugged his shoulders. "This is hardly conversation," he added. "At all events, you must excuse me if I say it does not interest me. As you say, we had better part. After I leave for town in the morning, I will trouble you no more." "Thank God," said Olive, moving towards the door of her room. "At least I shall be spared the indignity of living with you." "Allow me," said Carson, stretching forward to open the door for her. "Good-night, and good-bye." "You contemptible cur," said his wife, disappearing and slamming the door behind her.