"
Regarding this event as certain in any case, the listener merely
nodded.
"That, I dare say, doesn't interest you?"
"I take no part in politics."
"And it is quite a matter of indifference to you whether Mr.
Quarrier's career is ruined or not?"
"I don't see why I should think much about a man who has injured me
as he has."
"No," conceded Mrs. Wade, sadly. "I understand that you have nothing
whatever in view but recovering your wife?"
"That's all I want."
"And yet, Mr. Northway, I'm sure you see how very difficult it will
be for you to gain this end."
She leaned towards him sympathetically. Northway shuffled, sucked in
his cheeks, and spoke in as civil a tone as he could command.
"There are difficulties, I know. I don't ask her to come at once and
live with me. I couldn't expect that. But I am determined she
sha'n't go back to Mr. Quarrier. I have a right to forbid it."
"Indeed--abstractly speaking--I think you have," murmured Mrs.
Wade, with a glance towards the door. "But I grieve to tell you that
there seems to me no possibility of preventing her return."
"I shall have to use what means I can. You say Mr. Quarrier wouldn't
care to have this made public just now."
He knew (or imagined) that the threat was idle, but it seemed to him
that Mrs. Wade, already favourably disposed, might be induced to
counsel Lilian for the avoidance of a scandal at this moment.
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