But it can't be done if your husband is opposed to it." "Mr Croft," said the lady, her face flushing a good deal, "you have no right to speak to me in that way, and attribute such motives to me.

No matter whom I had married, I would never give him up for the sake of money, or a farm, or anything you think my aunt could give me." "I beg your pardon," said Croft, "if I made a mistake, but I don't see what else I could infer from your remarks." "My remarks," said she, "were,--well, they have a different meaning from what you supposed." She walked on in silence for a few moments, and then, looking up to her companion, she said: "I have a great mind to tell you something, if you will promise, at least for the present, not to breathe it to a living soul." Instantly the lookout on the bow of Lawrence Croft's life action called out: "Breakers ahead!" and almost instantly its engine was stopped, and every faculty of its commander was on the alert.

"I do not know," he said, "that I am entitled to your confidence.

Would it be of any advantage to you to tell me what you propose ?" "It would be of advantage, and you are entitled," she added quickly.

"It is about Mr Null, and you ought to know it, for you instigated my wedded life." "I instigated!"-- exclaimed Mr Croft.