"If my husband, who you say is nothing to us, were here," she said, "he
would horsewhip you."

The other laughed savagely.

"He is not here, however, so you may digest my remark at your leisure."

Mrs. Wilson rose from her seat with an air of dignity which was really
imposing.

"Mr. Rangely," she said, "it is not my custom to bandy words, even with
my equals. I have allowed you the freedom of my house because I was
willing to help you in your desire to be useful to Father Frontford.
You have taken advantage of my kindness to insult me. This seems to me
sufficiently to explain the situation."

He stared at her a moment in evident amazement. Then he burst into
hoarse laughter.

"My desire to be useful to Father Frontford!" he echoed. "That is the
best yet! You know I cared nothing about your pottering old church
politics except to please you."

"I see that I was deceived completely," she responded coldly.

She crossed the room and pressed an ivory button.

"Deceived!" he sneered. "It would take a clever man to deceive you."

She looked not at him, but beyond him. He turned, and saw a footman in