A few low, bitter, impotent curses fell from his lips, and then he walked slowly away, muttering threats of vengeance.
It was nearly twelve o'clock when Irene reached home.
"You are late," said her husband, as she came in.
"Yes," she replied, "later than I intended." "What's the matter ?" he inquired, looking at her narrowly.
"Why do you ask ?" She tried to put on an air of indifference.
"You look pale and your voice is disturbed." "The driver went through parts of the town in returning that made me feel nervous, as I thought of my lonely and unprotected situation." "Why did he do that ?" "It wasn't to make the way shorter, for the directest route would have brought me home ten minutes ago.

I declare! The fellow's conduct made me right nervous.

I thought a dozen improbable things." "It is the last time I will employ him," said Hartley.

"How dare he go a single block away from a direct course, at this late hour ?" He spoke with rising indignation.
At first, Irene resolved to inform her husband of Major Willard's conduct, but it will be seen by this conversation that she had changed her mind, at least for the present.

Two or three things caused her to hesitate until she could turn the matter over in her thoughts more carefully.