She could not discharge William! She could not discharge William, because she was not there to discharge him! She was upon the Atlantic highroad, speeding for Europe, and would not be home for many a month! And during all those months, whenever she dared appear, she would be subject to William's loverly attention! She sat rigid with the horror of this new development.

But she had not yet had time to realize its full possibilities--for hardly a minute had passed since she had entered--when she heard a key slide into the lock of the front door and saw a vague figure enter the unlighted hall.

She arose in added terror.

Had that William come back to-- "Oh, there you are, Matilda," softly called a voice, and the vague figure came toward her.
Mrs.De Peyster's terror took suddenly a new turn.

For the voice was not the voice of her coachman.
"J-a-c-k!" she breathed wildly.
Jack threw an arm about Mrs.De Peyster's shoulders.
"Ho, ho, that's the time I caught you, Matilda," said he, in teasing reproof.