Did they? That was the question she now put to herself, and vainly tried to answer. It is permitted even to the most confiding of women to entertain occasional doubts as to the ingenuousness of bachelor friends. At last she drew a sheet of note-paper from the stationery case in front of her and inscribed the date. But she paused, and gazed absently at the wall, her mind full of Hugh’s dilemma. She felt an unaccountable dislike for the woman with the ophidian eyes. Presently she broke into a little laugh. “I do believe I am jealous! I must tell Gerard.” CHAPTER VIII An anxious face met Hugh as he was shown into the drawing-room. Minna had grown into a woman since her illness, and had hardened considerably during the process. Instead of the lazy uplifting of silky lashes, veiling swimming eyes, with which she had been wont to greet him, she met him with a glance as keen as his own. The racial spirit of bargain revealed itself in her expression. Once more he was struck by the latent power of strength and hardness. She wore a dark red dinner dress and heavy gold bracelets, and a diamond star shone in the dark clusters of her hair. “I am glad you have come early,” she said, receiving his kiss mechanically. “I wanted to have a word with you before papa comes down.” They walked slowly to the fireplace and stood turned towards each other, leaning against the mantelpiece. “Well?” he said. “When are you going to tell papa?” “After dinner--‘over the walnuts and the wine.’” “Don’t. Wait until you have said good-bye to me.” “How shall I let you know the result? You will be anxious.” “Do you mind coming to me afterwards--the old way?” “Not at all. But I shall have to wait outside until the house is quiet.” “There will be a nice fire upstairs to warm you.” “And my wife’s heart?” “That depends,” she replied, with a curious smile. “Shall you be perishing for it?” “We must try to win back to each other again, Minna,” he said, stretching out his hand so as to touch lightly her cheek. “It will not be hard, for circumstances will be more favourable than they have been. I am afraid I haven’t played a very noble part, my dear--and when a man is conscious of that, he vents his spleen upon others. That’s not very noble either, but it’s miserable human nature. Do you understand?” “I am glad you see that you have treated me badly,” she said. “At any rate it’s a hopeful beginning.” The thought of her failure to grasp his meaning was dancing irritatingly in his mind as he stepped forward to greet Israel Hart, who at that moment entered the room. “Very pleased to see you, Mr. Colman. Sorry I’m late. Kept in the city. Cold, isn’t it?” He rubbed his soft palms together and held them out to the blaze of the fire. “How’s business? Been letting loose lots of lucky gaol-birds lately?” “Oh, we always believe firmly in our clients’ innocence,” retorted Hugh with a laugh. “That’s more than I do in mine,” said the moneylender.