Hot words were exchanged, taunts, recriminations, and
the like. As a climax the woman overturned a writing-
table with a crash at her husband's feet, flung defiance
in his face, and left him.
257



THE SLANDERERS

Ophelia had compassed the necessary finale. As she
passed back up the passage towards the hall, she tore
her dress at the neck, and, taking the substance of her
left arm between her teeth, she bruised the flesh till
purple blood showed under the skin. Meeting no wit-
nesses upon the way, she disordered her hair as she
climbed the oak stairway, and beat her mouth with
her fist so that her lips bled.
By some foreordained coincidence Miss Mabel Saker
was looking over the contents of her jewel-case in the
'*blue bedroom.** Moreover, this particular room was
set directly above the library, and any. occupant thereof
could hear in measure what passed below. Hence,
when Ophelia Strong entered to her friend, that lady
received her with a shocked pity that was zealously
dramatic.
**Dear, what has happened?*'

By way of retort Gabriers wife displayed to her in-
dignant confidante her bruised arm and bleeding mouth.
The cad; the mean coward!** was Miss Saker*s cry.
I heard him storming at you. How did it happen ?**
He lost his temper,*' said the wife.
'*By Jove, if I were only a man!**

*'I feel faint, Mab.**

**The brute! Let me bathe vour mouth.**

Angelic ministerings to misfortune ensued. Smelling-
salts, eau-de-cologne, and much sympathy were forth-
coming. Ophelia lay back in a lounge-chair breathing
spasmodically, with certain hysteric symptoms, while
Miss Saker hung over her and bathed her face.
