Mr. McLane, who was more impulsive than tactful, took Travers by the
arm and pushed him through the crowd surging toward the table, and
out of the front door, almost flinging him down the front steps.

"Damn you for a liar and a scandalmonger and a malicious old woman!"
he shouted, oblivious of many staring coachmen. "Never enter my house
again."

But the undaunted Travers steadied himself and replied with a leer,
"Well, I made her give herself dead away, whether you like it or not.
And it'll be all over town in a week."

Mr. McLane turned his back, and ordering the astonished butler to
take out the man's hat and greatcoat, returned to a scene of
excitement. Madeleine had been placed full length on a sofa by an
open window, and was evidently reviving. He asked the men who had
overheard Travers' attack to follow him to his study.

"I want every one of you to promise me that you will not repeat what
that little brute said," he commanded. "Fortunately there were no
women about. Fainting women are no novelty. And if that cur tells the
story of his dastardly assault, give him the lie. Swear that he never
said it. Persuade him that he was too drunk to remember."

"I'll follow him and threaten to horsewhip him if he opens his
mouth!" cried Colonel Belmont, who had been a dashing cavalry officer
during the war. He revered all women of his own class, even his wife,
who rarely saw him; and he was so critical of feminine perfections of
any sort that he changed his mistresses oftener than any man in San