Part 88 (1/2)

Yes, at last. Someone coming up the stairs two steps at a time. The door was flung open, and her husband entered hastily, looking pale and disordered. There was so jaded and despairing an aspect in the man's eyes that the woman's sympathies were aroused, her troubles were for the moment forgotten, and she laid her hand upon his arm.

”Back at last, John dear!” she said tenderly. ”Are you tired?” And then something in his face startled her. ”John dear!” she cried.

”Curse John!” he cried. ”There, I have done with that masquerading.

Here, quick--my little bag--a change of things!”

”Are you hurt?” she cried anxiously.

”Do you hear me?” he cried, and struck at her savagely with the back of his hand.

She staggered back with a low moan, but sprang to him the next moment, and threw her arms round his neck.

”John dearest,” she whispered, in a low, frantic tone, ”for G.o.d's sake tell me you are sorry you did that. For your own sake ask me to forgive you; it makes me mad!”

”Curse you, keep away!” he cried, flinging her off; but she staggered back, and tried to nestle in his breast, only to be flung off again.

”Get me my clean things--quick!”

”No, no, not yet!” she cried, falling upon her knees and grasping at his hands. ”John, dear John, one kind word; say one gentle word to me, pray, oh, pray!”

”Are you mad?” he said savagely, as he tried to release his hand.

”No; but you are driving me so!” she cried hoa.r.s.ely. ”I forgive you your infidelity, your unkindness--everything--the way in which you have wronged me. John--husband--for G.o.d's sake, for your own sake, be kind to me now. You do not know the temptation that is on me.”

”To run away and leave me?” he said mockingly. ”Pray go.” He stood glaring down at her for a moment, and then exclaimed, in a cold, cutting way: ”Will you get me the things I want?”

”Yes, yes, dear--yes, my own love!” she cried excitedly; ”in one minute.

But John, husband, my heart is nearly broken. I am maddened by my wrongs.”

He must have been mad himself, for as she clung to him he struck her again, more savagely this time, and, with a shudder running through her whole frame, she cowered on the floor.

But it was only for the moment. She struggled up again, joining her hands together as she wailed once more:

”I ask you again, for our dead babe's sake, John--husband--give me one kind word, and I will forgive all!”

”Do you want to drive me wild!” he yelled savagely. ”I am not John Huish--I am not your husband. Out of my sight, or--”

He raised his hand again to strike her, but she did not flinch. She stood up, seeming as if turned to stone, and a sickly pallor appeared on her cheeks.

”There, quick; get me the brandy! I have a long way to go.”

”Yes,” she said quietly, as a low moan escaped her lips; ”you have a long way to go.”

She fetched the brandy decanter and gla.s.s from the sideboard, placed them before him, and he poured out a goodly quant.i.ty, raised the gla.s.s, listened, and then put it down.

”Who's below?” he said sharply, as he turned towards the door.

”Jane Glyne,” she said, moaning; and then once more she tried to clasp his neck.

”What's the matter with you?” he cried mockingly, as he thrust her arm away, and, catching up the gla.s.s, he raised it to his lips.