"Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to introduce Mr.Roxbury Medcroft, my friend and fellow conspirator.

He is the husband of this lady, not I.I am to be the husband of _this_ lady, thank God." There was a moment of absolute silence--it may have been stupor.

The two audiences faced each other with emotions widely at variance.

It was Mrs.
Rodney who spoke first.
"Is this true, Edith ?" she quavered.
"Yes, yes, yes!" cried Edith, her eyes dancing.
"Then, what are you doing here with a man who isn't your husband ?" demanded Mrs.Rodney, suddenly aflame.
"I can explain everything to you later on, Mrs.Rodney," interposed Mrs.
Odell-Carney calmly.

She had divined at least a portion of the truth, and she was clever enough to put herself on the right side.