as she saw it, was her duty, showed no consideration.

Vera's hands, trembling on his arm, drove Vance to deeper anger.
He turned savagely upon Miss Coates.

"You haven't lost anything yet, have you?" he demanded. "She
hasn't hurt you, has she? If it's revenge you want," he cried
insolently, "why don't you throw vitriol on the girl?"

"Revenge!" exclaimed Miss Coates indignantly. "It is my duty. My
public duty. I'm not alone in this; I am acting with the
District Attorney. It is our duty." She turned suddenly and
called, "Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Winthrop!"

For the first time Vera saw, under the gas jet, at the farther
end of the hall, the figures of Mannie and Winthrop.

"No, no!" she protested, "I beg of you," she cried hysterically.
"I've got a chance. If you print this thing tomorrow, I'll never
have a chance again. Don't take it away from me." Impulsively
her arms reached out in an eager final appeal. "I'm down," she
said simply, "give me a chance to get up."

When Miss Coates came to give battle to the Vances, she foresaw
the interview might be unpleasant. It was proving even more
unpleasant than she had expected, but her duty seemed none the
less obvious.

"You should have thought of that," she said, "before you were
found out."