man friend -- or himself -- when in that paroxysm.
Mildres had seen this mood, gleaming at her through
a mask, in General Siddall. It had made her sick with
fear and repulsion. In Stanley Baird it first astounded
her, then filled her with hate.

" Stanley!" she gasped.

"Who is it?" he ground out between his teeth. And
he seized her savagely.

"If you don't release me at once," said she calmly,
"I shall call Mrs. Brindley, and have you put out of
the house. No matter if I do owe you all that money."

"Stop!" he cried, releasing her. "You're very
clever, aren't you? -- turning that against me and mak-
ing me powerless."

"But for that, would you dare presume to touch
me, to question me?" said she.

He lowered his gaze, stood panting with the effort to
subdue his fury.

She went back to her own room. A few hours later
came a letter of apology from him. She answered it
friendlily, said she would let him know when she could
see him again, and enclosed a note and a check.

-279-