man and wife no longer."
"And an excellent thing, too," she remarked, ridiculing his sentimentaltone.
"I entirely agree with you; we are much better apart. Nevertheless,although we are divorced, there surely is no reason why we should notremain friends, is there?" he asked, speaking in French.
"Oh, there's no harm in that, I suppose," she replied in the samelanguage, laughing lightly. "I saw from the papers that you obtainedthe decree, and Nanette gave me a most graphic description of thehearing of the case. It must have been highly entertaining. I shouldso much liked to have been there."
"It certainly was a trifle diverting," the captain admitted; "but let'sget to business. Have you brought the money?"
"No."
"What?--you haven't?" he cried in dismay. "Then why have you brought medown to this infernal hole?"
"For the benefit of your health," she replied with tantalising coquetry.
"I want the money," he declared angrily.
"If you'll be patient, and allow me to speak, I'll explain."
"I want none of your excuses; nothing but the money. In dealing withme, Mrs. Trethowen, you'll have to play fair, or, by heaven! it will bethe worse for you. Bear that in mind."
"Neither my intention nor desire is to deceive you," she repliedhaughtily; "but since you cannot talk without abuse, perhaps a weeklonger without your money will cause you to be more polite." And sherose and made a movement towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" he exclaimed roughly, rushing to thedoor and standing with his back against it. "I've come down here to bepaid for the service I've rendered you at the risk of being prosecutedmyself, and therefore you don't leave this room until I have the money."
His face was blanched with anger, and he spoke with determination. Shehad seen his countenance wear a similar look on more than one occasion,and knew that when in such a mood he was not to be trifled with.
"But you won't let me explain, Percy," she complained in a softenedtone. "Do be reasonable."
"I am. I want the thousand pounds you promised."
"Hush," she said, holding up a finger. "We might be overheard!"
"Never mind. Do you intend to pay me?" he asked in a lower tone.
"Yes, but not all now. I'm really hard up, otherwise you should haveevery penny I promised."
"Oh, that's nonsense. You can get money from that confiding husband ofyours, if you like--"
"But I don't like, so there's the difference," she interrupted. "I knowmy own business best."
"How much can you give me?"
"Two hundred pounds."
"Pooh! I'm not going to accept that," said he decisively. "What next?If you offered me five hundred as the first instalment, I might feeldisposed to take it."
"Take it or leave it, you'll get no more just now."
"Look here," he cried fiercely, standing before her in a threateningattitude. "Do you think I'm going to be made sport of in this manner?If so, you've made a huge mistake. I want the money and I mean to haveit. If you won't give it to me, then I shall be under the necessity ofrequesting a loan from your husband. That would queer your delightfullittle game, wouldn't it--eh?"
She drew a long breath, and for an instant the colour left her face.Nevertheless, it took more than a threat of that kind to disconcert her.
"You are at liberty to do even that," she answered, with a sardonicsmile. "But you would be the sufferer, I'm thinking."
"I want none of your trickery. Pay me, and you'll never hear of meagain."
"If I could believe that, it would relieve my mind very considerably,"she observed with candour. "The facts are these: the whole of the moneyI have been able to scrape together only amounts to two hundred pounds.I admit it is but a small proportion of my debt, yet I think it shouldsatisfy your present needs. Just now I cannot ask my husband for alarge sum, as I can think of no excuse for wanting it."
"I should think it is the first time you were ever at a loss for a lie,"he remarked sarcastically.
"It doesn't do to carry imposition too far. I flatter myself I knowwhen and where to draw the line."
"I've some plans in hand, and must have five hundred pounds to carrythem out. Not a penny less will be of any use to me."
"But I tell you I can't give it to you."
"Then I must get it from another source, that's all," he declared,selecting a cigarette from his case, and assuming an air of unconcern.
"Come, enough of this," she exclaimed petulantly; "I cannot stay herehalf the night arguing with you." Putting her hand into the breast ofher dress she drew forth some bank-notes. There were four, each forfifty pounds. "Will you take these or not?" she asked, offering them tohim.
"Don't I tell you they're no use? I must have twice as much."
"Then, I'm sorry I can't oblige you, and will wish you _bon soir_," shereplied, with a mock curtsey.
"Why do you play with me like this?" he cried in anger, gripping herroughly by the arm. "I want five hundred pounds, and I'll have itbefore you leave this place."
"How is that possible when I do not possess it? Do talk sense."
"I'm talking sense. You have it; you can give it me if you choose."
"What do you mean?"
"The diamonds you are wearing. They're worth that, I suppose."
She hesitated, and holding her wrist to the dull lamplight revealed thediamond bangles which sparkled and flashed as she moved. His proposalwas somewhat disconcerting, for the bracelets, as well as the neckletshe was wearing, were a portion of Hugh's wedding gifts. She waspuzzled to know how she should account for them if she yielded to theman's inexorable demands.
"I cannot. My husband would inquire what had become of them. Whatcould I say? If I told him they were lost he would give information tothe police, and you could not get rid of them without some uglyrevelations resulting."
"It's no use arguing. I mean to have them."
He had taken the notes and thrust them carelessly into his vest pocket.
"No, my dear Percy, the thing's impossible."
"Nonsense," he cried fiercely, at the same time making a sudden snatchat the row of gleaming stones which encircled her white neck. When shesaw his intention she put both hands up in an endeavour to prevent him,and gave vent to a slight scream.
But she was powerless. The clasp snapped, and the necklet was a momentlater in his pocket.
"Return that at once," she cried, stamping her foot with rage. "If youdon't I'll tell the police you've robbed me."
The captain stuck his hands into his pockets and laughed.
"Go and tell them, my dear," he said. "We should make an interestingpair before the magistrate."
"I never thought you were such a coward as to rob a woman," observedshe, with indignant disgust, after demanding the return of her neckletseveral times, and being met with blank refusal.
"My dear Valerie," he replied coolly, "you needn't be surprised. When Iwant money, I'm ready to do anything in order to get it. But it'sgetting late," he continued, glancing at the clock. "Isn't it almosttime you were at home?"
His bitter sarcasm maddened her. She did not speak for a few moments.
"I've had an illustration to-night of your fair dealing, CaptainWilloughby," she said in a low, harsh voice, her face flushed withpassion. "When I met you I meant to pay the amount I arranged, but nowyou've taken my jewellery from me by force, and acted as the scoundrelyou are, not another farthing shall you have--"
"Oh, won't I? You'll pay up when I come to you next time."
"We shall see," she said meaningly; and, drawing her cloak around her,she pulled down her veil and left the room, banging the door after her.
She knew her way out, for it was evident that it was not the first timeshe had been there.
When alone, the captain reseated himself, and, taking the necklet fromhis pocket, examined it carefully with the eye of a connoisseur.
"Humph," he murmured to himself, "they seem w
ell-matched stones. Ishall ask old Vlieger two hundred and fifty for it, and he'll send itover to Amsterdam and get it out of the way in case any inquiries aremade. You've had a very profitable evening, Percy, my boy--veryprofitable."
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
TRUTH IN MASQUERADE.
Before Valerie had resided at Coombe six weeks she grew