"
One more embrace, and he left her. Mrs. Wade was talking with
Northway in the dining-room, talking hurriedly and earnestly. She
heard Quarrier's step and came to the door.
"In here?" Denzil asked.
She nodded and came out. Then the door closed behind him.
Northway stood near the window. He had eaten--luncheon was still
on the table--and had been smoking to calm his nerves, but at the
sight of Quarrier he became agitated They inspected each other.
Denzil's impulse was to annihilate his contemptible enemy with
fierceness of look and word; and in Northway jealousy fought so
strongly with prudence that a word of anger would have driven him to
revengeful determination. But a few moments of silence averted this
danger. Quarrier said to himself that there was no use in half
measures. He had promised Lilian to do his best, and his own desire
pointed to the same end. Swallowing his gall, he spoke quietly.
"Mr. Northway, we can't talk as if we were friends; but I must
remember that you have never intentionally done me any wrong--that
it is _I_ who am immediately to blame for this state of things. I
hope you will talk it over with me"----
His voice failed, but the first step had been taken. He sat down,
motioning the other to a chair.
"I can't allow my wife to live any longer in this way," began the
adversary, with blundering attempt at dignified speech.
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