"Silence!" thundered Captain Ernscliffe. "She was my wife then as she is now. There is no excuse for your infamous conduct. She might have died but for the kindness of strangers--she, my unfortunate wife, turned from her own house without shelter for her friendless head. Go, now, and never let me see you again. Even as you drove her out I will drive you!" "No--no," exclaimed Queenie, for she saw how utterly the proud, overbearing woman was abashed. "No--no; I was very angry, but I forgive her now, for I see how she is humbled at remembrance of her fault. Let her stay, and this incident may teach her in future to be guided by the golden rule." CHAPTER XXXV. "Queenie, are you ready for your drive?" called her husband from the foot of the stairway. "The phaeton is at the door." A bright, bewitching face peeped down at him from above--a face as sweet as a rose--with coral lips, and softly-tinted cheeks, and eyes as brightly-blue as violets. Directly she came fluttering down the stairs, and paused, with her slender, white-gloved hand upon his arm. "I am ready," she said. "Come, Lawrence, let us go. It is too lovely a day to remain indoors." "Darling, how lovely you are," he cried. "Let me kiss you once before we start." She smiled, and linked her arm fondly in his as they went down the marble steps together. "Lawrence," she said, half-gravely, half-fondly, "I almost begin to believe in my happiness now. At first it seemed such a precious thing, and I held it by so frail a grasp that I feared I might lose you again and fall back into the terrible gulf of despair. But now months have elapsed and nothing has happened to part us, so that it seems possible for me to breathe freely and look forward to a happy future with you." "Darling, these trembling fears of yours have always seemed strange and unnecessary to me. What could happen to part us now?" he said, as he handed her into the lovely little phaeton, with its prancing gray ponies, and sprang in beside her. "I do not know. Nothing, I hope," she answered, with a quick little sigh, as she took the reins into her hands and touched up the spirited ponies. "Where shall we drive, Lawrence--in the park?" "Yes, if you like," he answered, leaning back luxuriously. It was a beautiful day in May, the air so balmy and delicious that it was a luxury to breathe it. As they flashed along the shady drives in the park many eyes followed them admiringly, for Mrs. Ernscliffe was conceded by all to be the fairest woman in the city. To-day she wore a wonderful dress of mingled blue and cream-color, and a hat of azure satin, with a streaming white feather set coquettishly on her waves of golden hair. The colors suited her bright blonde beauty exquisitely. Her dark, handsome, dignified husband thrilled with pleasure and pride as he noted the many admiring glances that followed his beautiful and dearly-beloved wife. "I have had news from England, Queenie," he said, presently.