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He saw the strokes plainly, instantly resolving to burn his ships and hazard all on an advance

'My wife's,' he said calmly

His quiet answer threw her off her balance She had no more expected an answer than does a preacher when he exclaims from the pulpit, 'Do you feel your sin?' She had clearly expected a sudden alarain, her voice rising, as she vainly endeavoured to control her feelings, whatever they were

'It doesn't follow that, because a er of it, er! well, perhaps not; but, Mr Manston, why did you choose to conceal it, I ask again? I have a perfect right to ask this question, as you will perceive, if you consider the terms of my advertisement' 'I will tell you There were two simple reasons The first was this practical one; you advertised for an unmarried man, if you reested to me that I should try for the situation I wasan office where there is a restriction of this kind, leaving one's wife behind is always accepted as a fulfilment of the condition, I left her behind for awhile The other reason is, that these ter (for a short ti' 'Mistaken! as she?' the lady inquired

'A third-rate actress, who one to fulfil a short engagement with an architect' 'Where did she corew to dislike her e had been ly woman by any means' 'Up to the ordinary standard?' 'Quite up to the ordinary standard--indeed, handsome After a while we quarrelled and separated' 'You did not ill-use her, of course?' said Miss Aldclyffe, with a little sarcashly tired of her' Manston looked as if he began to think her questions out of place; however, he said quietly, 'I did get tired of her I never told her so, but we separated; I to co her there in perfectly coh your advertisele man, I have always intended to tell you the whole truth; and this hen I was going to tell it, when your satisfaction with ement of your affairs should have proved the risk to be a safe one to run' She bowed