"It is that I am a fool." Isabella was not looking at him, but at her quiet hands clasped together on her lap.
"We all know," she said, "that Dick is supplying Madame de Clericy with money that does not come from her estates.

Whence does it come ?" "You suggest," said Alphonse, "that Howard has recovered my money and is supporting Madame de Clericy and Lucille with it." What answer Isabella would have made to this I know not, for it was at this moment that the servant threw open the door and ushered me into a silence which was significant even to one of no very quick understanding.

I saw that Alphonse Giraud was agitated and caught a singular gleam in Isabella's eyes.

I suppose she was one of those women who take pleasure in stirring up strife between men.

Her cheeks had a faint pink flush on them that made her suddenly beautiful.