"Very likely," conceded Ingleton. "But she's kicked over the
traces now, and that fact won't pull her up--anyhow, at present,"

Mrs. Ingleton's look held fierce resentment. "Are you going to let
her go?" she said.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Seeing I can't help myself, I suppose
I shall. There's no sense in making a fuss now. It's done, so you
leave her alone!"

Mrs. Ingleton turned upon Preston. "You can bring an action for
breach of promise!" she said. "I'll support you."

He made her an ironical bow. "You are more than kind," he said.
"But--I think I shall get on better for the future without your
support."

And with the words he turned on his heel and went out.

"Hateful person!" cried Mrs. Ingleton. "Gilbert, he has insulted
me! Go after him and kick him! Gilbert! How dare you?"

Ingleton was quietly but firmly impelling her back into the
boudoir. "You go and sit down!" he said. "Sit down and be quiet!
There's been enough of this."

It was the first time in her knowledge that he had ever asserted
himself. Mrs. Ingleton stared at him wildly for a second or two,
then, seeing that he was in earnest, subsided into a chair with a
burst of hysterical weeping, declaring that no one ever treated her