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He paused; but Anstice, having no suggestion to make, kept silence, and Sir Richard went on with his speech

"Generally speaking, in the character of a woly-marked attributes One is a capacity for love, equalled only by a capacity for hatred Of course Tochatti is only half Italian, but personally I distrust eYou know the old proverb, 'An Englishman Italianate He is a devil incarnate'--and I believe there is some truth in the words"

"I share your distrust for half-breeds," said Anstice fervently "And in this case, although she speaks excellent English as a rule, it always seeree with me?"

"I do--and that's why I distrust her," returned Sir Richard grimly "I confess I don't like the women of the Latin races--those of the lower classes, anyway A woman of that sort who is supplanted by a rival is about theon the face of the earth She sticks at nothing--carries a knife in her garter, a phial of poison in her handbag, and will quite cheerfully sacrifice her own life if she may mutilate or destroy the aforesaid hated rival"

"So I have always understood But in this case, if you will excuseinto it To begin with, Tochatti is a ed woman; and of course there could not be any question of rivalry between her and her enerally," Sir Richard reminded him "But there are other reasons for jealousy besides the primary reason, love You know, in the case of these last letters, which are certainly actuated by soainst youhat's the matter now?" For Anstice had uttered an exclamation which sounded alot it--the reason why the woman should feel spiteful towards ar, half-suessed that an iot it, eh?" Sir Richard sat upright in his chair "Well, may I hear it? It's no secret, I suppose?"

"Secret? Heavens, no--but how intensely stupid I've been not to think of it before!"

"Go on--you're rousing my curiosity," said Sir Richard as Anstice caed to rouse the wo how cleverly you pulled her adored Cherry through that illness of hers, I should have thought she would have extended her devotion to you"