grew excited with wine; they made jests and told doubtful stories.

Barbara's son Anthony entered unobserved and stood with his back against
the curtains. He was a man now, tall, powerful, and in his way handsome,
with hair of a chestnut red. Just then he who had brought Bess to the
supper threw his arm about her and kissed her, whereat she laughed and
the others laughed also.

Anthony sprang forward. The table was overthrown. He seized the man and
shook him. Then he struck him in the face and hurled him through the
open window to the path below. For a few seconds the man lay there,
then rose and ran till presently he vanished beneath the shadow of some
trees. There was tumult and confusion in the room; servants rushed in,
and one of the men, he who seemed to be the host, talked with them and
offered them money. The woman Bess began to revile her husband.

He took her by the arm and said:

"Will you follow that fellow through the window, or will you come with
me?"

Glancing at him, she saw something in his face that made her silent.
Then they went away together.



The scene changed. Barbara knew that now she saw her Aunt Thompson's
London house. In that drawing-room where she had parted from Mr.
Russell, her son and his wife stood face to face.