CHAPTER XXIII.
THERE were plenty of intrusive friends to give Mr.Dexter advice as to how he should act towards the unhappy woman who had fled from him in her despair.

He was rich, good-hearted--as the world goes--honorable, domestic in his feelings and habits; everything, in fact, that society requires in the composition of a good husband.
The blame, therefore, among the friends of Mr.Dexter, was all on the side of his wife.
"You will, of course, if she persists in this unwarrantable conduct, demand a legal separation," said one.
"That is just what she wants," suggested another.

"You could not grant her a higher favor." "Wait--wait," was the advice of a third.
And so the changes were rung.

Dexter listened, pondered, suffered; but admitted no one into the council chamber of his heart.

There were some things known only to himself and the one he had driven from him, which he did not care to reveal.