He sprang to his feet and took a step or two toward the door leading into the hall, but his wife caught his arm and clung to it tightly.
"No, no! Wait! wait!" she cried, in a deep whisper, while her face grew-ashen pale.

For some moments they stood with repressed breathing, every instant expecting to hear the loud report of a pistol.

But the deep silence remained unbroken for nearly a minute; then a dull movement of feet was heard in the room, and the opening and shutting of a drawer.
"No, general, you will not do that," they heard Mrs.Abercrombie say, in a low, steady tone in which fear struggled with tenderness.
"Why will I not do it ?" was sternly demanded.
They were standing near the door, so that their voices could be heard distinctly in the next room.
"Because you love me too well," was the sweet, quiet answer.

The voice of Mrs.Abercrombie did not betray a single tremor.
All was hushed again.

Then came another movement in the room, and the sound of a closing drawer.