"May I be forgiven for thinking such a woman fit to be my wife! Hear me," he continued, and the passion in his voice changed to contempt: "Miss Charteris is your friend; she asked me to meet her here that she might plead your cause, Dora--that she might advise me to remain more at home with you, to go less into society, to look more at the bright side of our married life, and be a better husband than I have been lately; it was for that she summoned me here." "I--I do not believe it," sobbed his wife.
"That is at your option," he replied coolly.

"Miss Charteris, I should kneel to ask your pardon for the insults you have received.

If a man had uttered them, I would avenge them.

The woman who spoke them bears my name.

I entreat your pardon." "It is granted," she replied; "your wife must have been mad, or she would have known I was her friend.