Athalie

"Really? Then what are you going to do?"

"Whatever you wish," he said in a low voice, "as long as you do not

bring such a charge against Athalie Greensleeve."

"Would you set your signature to a paper?"

"I have given you my word. I have never lied to you."

She looked up at him out of narrowing eyes: "You might this time. I prefer your signature."

He reddened and sat twirling the silver crook of his walking-stick

between restless hands.

"Very well," he said quietly; "I will sign what you wish, with the

understanding that Miss Greensleeve is to remain immune from any lying

accusation.... And I'll tell you now that any accusation questioning

her chastity is a falsehood."

His wife smiled: "You see," she said, "your signature will be

necessary."

"Do you think I am lying?"

"What do I care whether you are or not? Do you suppose the alleged

chastity of a common fortune-teller interests me? All I know is that

you have found your level, and that I need protection. If you choose

to concede it to me without a public scandal, I shall permit you to do

so. If not, I shall begin an action against you and name the woman

with whom you spent last night!"

There was, in the thin, flute-like, and mincingly fastidious voice

something so subtly vicious that her words left him silent.

Still leisurely arranging and re-arranging her little heap of

pasteboard, her near-set eyes intent on its symmetry, she spoke

again: "I could marry Innisbrae or any one of several others! But I do not

care to; I am comfortable. And that is where you have made your

mistake. I do not desire a divorce! But,"--she lifted her narrow

eyes--"if you force me to a separation I shall not shrink from it. And

I shall name that woman."

"Then--what is it you want?" he asked with a sinking heart.

"Not a divorce; not even a separation; merely respectability. I wish

you to give up business in New York and present yourself in England at

decent intervals of--say once every year. What you do in the

interludes is of no interest to me. As long as you do not establish a

business and a residence anywhere I don't care what you do. You may

come back and live with this woman if you choose."

After a silence he said: "Is that what you propose?"