that young Frenchman holds in the Pactolus claim.'

Mrs Villiers felt herself grow faint--the accusation was so
horrible. This man, who had embittered her life from the time she
married him, was still her evil genius, and was trying to ruin her
in the eyes of the world. The man she had seen on the road was now
nearly up to them, and with a revulsion of feeling she saw that it
was Vandeloup. Recovering herself with an effort, she turned and
faced him steadily.

'You lied when you spoke just now,' she said in a quiet voice. 'I
will not lower myself to reply to your accusation; but, as there is
a God above us, if you dare to cross my path again, I will kill
you.'

She looked so terrible when she said this that Villiers
involuntarily drew back, but recovering himself in a moment, he
sprang forward and caught her arm.

'You devil! I'll make you pay for this,' and he twisted her arm till
she thought it was broken. 'You'll kill me, will you?--you!--you!'
he shrieked, still twisting her arm and causing her intense pain,
'you viper!'

Suddenly, when Madame was almost fainting with pain, she heard a
shout, and knew that Vandeloup had come to the rescue. He had
recognised Madame Midas down the road, and saw that her companion
was threatening her; so he made all possible speed, and arrived just
in time.