A Duel

ite possibly, to the ear alone her entry had been imperceptible. She looked about her, recalling the picture which it had presented to her mind on that fi

y the glare. It was odd that she should shiver in that glow of sunshine. Everything was so neat and orderly; there was such an absence of any signs of occupation, such complete stillness prevailed, that her first impression was that she

se beating--could he be dead? With unexpected ease she moved closer to the bed. No, he ce

s. She went still nearer, so that, by lea

amb's handsome face had had almost as much to do with winning her as his lying tongue, which dowered him with splendid wealth. Her ideas of good looks were probably her own--Gregory was there to show it. But her attachment to them was so m

eemed to have swelled and swelled till his skin had become as tight as a drum. One had a disagreeable notion that if one pricked him, like some distended bladder, he would burst. He was all bloated, not onl

ath. As Isabel bent over, she did not hesitate to tell herself that she wished he was as dead as he seemed. The sight of him afflicted her with such a sensation of aversion that she was then and there filled with an almost irresistible desire to crush him out of existence, as if he had been some loathsome reptile. She was possessed by a shrewd suspicion that she had only to strike him a hearty b

s of her presence even while he slept. The sight of a strange woman leaning over his bed, with such a queer expression on her countenance, did not seem to surprise him in the least. Tha

ace was, at the same time, illuminated by keen intelligence, and marked by an expression of vindictiveness which gave it an unpleasanter effect than if it had been actually ugly. His

xception of the pupils they were blood-shot. One wondered how much, or how little

oke the silence. His voice was a little clearer than when she had heard it first, but not muc

are

fore she answered. In her tone w

your

or disliked what he did gather. He was still again, as if ruminating on wh

mn

was not impossible that for a moment or two she was moved to give him back as good as he sent--and better. Possibly, however, the impu

athing than her plain pronouncement of a simple fact. As if desirous of driving her dart still fu

hat his feelings were not of the kind which are unduly sensitive. After what seemed to be due cons

a

were disposed to let her resentment take some active and visible form. But, again, maybe, her impulse changed in the making; she endeavoure

your

Hardly were the words out of her mouth than he endorsed them again, with

u a

o let you see th

do

not a puppet, a thing y

ite

, which can be set in movement only when you choose. If you do

Mrs. Cuthb

ly of considerable size, but which sadly needed attention. The grass could not have been cut for months; it competed with weeds for possession of the footpaths. There were flowers, but they needed pruning; the weeds threatened to choke them in their own beds. Beyond, the ground rose; everywhere the slopes were covered with tree

the spirit of the landscape, Mr. Grah

to speak

ree times that she chose to favour him with her attention. Bringing her

el

d you m

that you would be de

ness, it did not seem to hurt him in the l

on. What were you t

that I should have tw

s the bait. You're a re

at you think

or the matter of that, of mine. We're all fools; only

your

ady. I mean who were you

and fro, restlessly,

a mind to

not without features of interest. Besides, a h

towards the bed with gleaming eyes. It was evidently ea

r wife; that's all I'll tell yo

ing--after a sufficiently common type. You appear to be one of those big, bouncing, blusterous, bonny--four b's--young females who spring out of the gutter by the mere force of their own vitality; who push and elbow themselves through life with but one thing continually in view--self. You're probably ill-bred, ignorant, impudent

er life and conduct, affected her unpleasantly. When he had finished she had to pull hersel

ou think you

be congratulated on having you for a wife, neither are you

ulated!

fancy sketch of the kind of wife you appear to me to

a monster. You ought to be in Barnum'

It's an illustration of how one changes. Would you believe that once--n

hat for

and over. It must have been a disappointm

old Twelves when he told m

. I should like to be present at the sha

'm as strong as a horse--stronger than most men. I once thought o

u mean clean and healthy livin

nted her lapse into

u mind wh

got over the disappointment of not finding me dead,

would live long, considering tha

ge husband and wife. I think you're wrong. I am one of those beings who are very tenacious of life. I'm only fifty, whatever

ays after what he told

ld you propose to

d do as

he case in another way. What would you want to

thousand

your lowe

t

y I ask you to leave me for a time? My conversational powers soon become exhaust

re so that you and I mig

distance in that di

f thing, but I don't like it. I'm your wife, your equal, more than your equal, since you're lying there like

s

it I will, but not a moment before. So don't you order me about, be

the room, my bedroom, in spite of your court

what airs and graces you take on with me, I'll stuff a handkerchief into your mouth. Then we'll see what you'll do n

first be shown a thing o

man in the bed. Looking round Isabel found that Nann