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"I understand they do not conteether for the future?" Anstice hoped he was not appearing unduly curious, but Sir Richard's h mind you, Carstairs has not left his wife because she was unfortunate enough to be convicted and sent to prison He's not that sort If he could have believed her innocent he would have stuck to her through thick and thin As it is he gives her the house, a large allowance, which pers of that kind, and since he is known to be in India a goodapart in a double sense"

"Yet he can't believe in her?"

"No--and that's why he will not live with her In his own rather peculiar way he has a reenuinely believes her to be guilty it would doubtless be quite iain"

"I a she must know his opinion of her--that she condescends to live in his house and take hisa question which had caused hilad you have raised that point," said Sir Richard quickly "She does it for the sake of the child, so that Cherry es of wealth Chloe herself has nothing and Carstairs is a rich ement, and into it"

He threay his cigar, which had gone out as he talked

"No--what I wonder at is that Chloe should deliberately choose to come back here where the whole story is known It's not bravado, of that I'ether how she can do it, for as you knoomen can be uncommonly cruel sometimes, and these creatures here aren't by any means charitably disposed towards her"

"You allow Miss Wayne to visit her?"

"Yes--and I welcome her toit," said Sir Richard with evident sincerity; and Anstice felt oddly gratified by the other ht hienuine dismay

"Seven o'clock! I'd no idea it was so late! Pray excuse o?" Sir Richard rose too, and stood regarding the tall, loosely built figure with so like admiration "Well, you're a busy o I'll not detain you But you'll coain, won't you? Come to dinner--Iris shall send you a note--and drop in for a s you're at liberty"