CHAPTER XV.
"MADAM!" They had reached their own apartments, and Mrs.Dexter was moving forward past her husband.

The stern imperative utterance caused her to pause and turn round.
"We leave for home in the morning!" said Mr.Dexter.
"_We_ ?" His wife looked at him fixedly as she made the simple interrogation.
"Yes, _we_!" was answered, and in the voice of one who had made up his mind, and did not mean to be thwarted in his purpose.
"Mr.Dexter!" his wife stood very erect before him; her eyes did not quail beneath his angry glances; nor was there any sign of weakness in her low, even tones.

"Let me warn you now--and regard the warning as for all time--against any attempt to coerce me into obedience to your arbitrary exactions.

Your conduct to-night was simply disgraceful--humiliating to yourself, and mortifying and unjust to your wife.

Let us have no more of this.