"There would be no risk in doing so," Vane replies, "with a competent nurse left in charge of you. It is of that I wished to speak to you. Persuade Reine to go back without you. I will myself accompany her." "_You!_" Mr. Langton exclaims, in such thorough surprise, that Vane flushes a deep red. "Yes," he answers, a little testily, "I will go with her. Why not? She is my wife." "Certainly, and it will be a very good plan," Mr. Langton replies, secretly delighted at Vane's repentance, but pretending to be very calm and non-committal. "You see," Vane continues, with a sigh of relief, "after the business that took us home was concluded, I should bring Reine back. By that time you would be well and strong again, and we would travel some, the three of us, and remain abroad some time. Do you like my plan?" "Very much. I am pleased with the idea. Have you spoken with Reine on the subject?" "No, not yet. To tell the truth I have relied on you to persuade her. I might fail, you know. Will you undertake to plead my case for me?" inquires Vane, blushing like a girl. "I thought you were lawyer enough to plead your own case," laughs the old millionaire. "You see, this is different," answers Vane. "I--I do not quite understand Reine. I do not know how she would receive such a proposal. Perhaps she would laugh at me. I should have to plead as a lover, not as a lawyer. Only imagine the spirited little lady laughing in my face." "I do not believe it is likely," Mr. Langton replies. "But since you are so afraid of your wife, I will speak to her about the matter. But, pray tell me, is your anxiety solely over Maud, or are you reconciled to your strange marriage?" A step at the door, a hand at the latch, and Reine comes in, interrupting the answer hovering on his lips. Vane rises abruptly. "I will go down and smoke my segar on the balcony," he says, then, looking at his wife: "Reine, will you walk on the sand with me afterward? It will be moonlight, and the nights are very pleasant." A smile of surprise and pleasure lights the changeful face into splendor. "Thank you, I shall like it very much," she answers, with some inward wonder at his kindness. "I will wait for you, then, on the balcony," he replies, and when he's gone, Mr. Langton hastens to tell her of Vane's proposal. Her color comes and goes, her bosom heaves as she listens. "But you know I could not leave you here alone with only a hired nurse," she remonstrates. "You could, and you must," he replies, seriously. "Listen, Reine, your husband has held out the olive-branch of peace, and you must not decline to accept it if you care for him. I shall do very well here with the doctor and the nurse. After all, I am not sick, only weak and fatigued. Remember Maud's peril before you refuse." "I have written to Maud's lawyer. He will know that I have the note, and they will wait until I come," she replies.