With a clever woman's instinct she had early detected the fact that he had a superior, stronger nature than her husband; as a loyal wife, she secretly resented the occasional unconscious exhibition of this fact on the part of his intimate friend in their familiar intercourse.

Added to this slight jealousy, there was a certain moral antagonism between herself and the captain which none but themselves knew.

They were both philosophers, but Mrs.Tucker's serene and languid optimism would not tolerate the compassionate and kind-hearted pessimisms of the lawyer.

"Knowing what Jack Poindexter does of human nature," her husband had once said, "it's mighty fine in him to be so kind and forgiving.

You ought to like him better, Belle." "And qualify myself to be forgiven," said the lady pertly.