been established between them. They dined quietly and as the lights
grew mellow she told him more of her story than she had ever
breathed to any other living soul.

As Murray listened he looked his admiration for the daring of the
little woman opposite him at the table.

They drifted. ...

It was the day of the threatened exposure. Curiously enough, Dodge
felt no nervousness. The understanding which he had reached or felt
that he had reached with Constance made him rather eager than,
otherwise to have the whole affair over with at once.

Drummond had been shut up for some time in the office of Beverley
with Dumont, going over the report which the accountant had prepared
and other matters--He had come in without seeing either Constance or
Murray, though they knew he must be nursing his chagrin over the
episode of the night before.

"They are waiting to see you," reported Constance to Dodge, half an
hour later, after one of the office boys had been sent over as a
formal messenger to their office.

"We are ready for them?" he asked, smiling at her.

Constance nodded.

"Then I shall go in. Wait a moment. When they have hurled their
worst at me I shall call on you. Have the stuff ready."