Several  hours  passed  in  calmly  revolving  her  plans
when  Midge  brought  her  a  card,  saying,  "Oh,  Mrs,
Neville,  Mr.  Frank  Livingstone  is  here,  and  wants  to
see  you.  He  is  so  good  and  kind  and  rich,  and  I
know  will  be  a  true  friend."


THE    DIVORCE.  219

"Request  him,  Midge,  to  come  here  to  my  sitting-
room,  where  we  can  be  private,  and  do  you  remain  in
my  bedroom,  and  come  instantly  when  I  ring  my
bell."

Mrs.  Neville  arose  from  her  sofa,  retired  for  a  few
moments,  and  returned  with  a  pistol  which  she  placed
in  a  drawer  of  her  stand.
A  knock  was  heard,  and,  after  her  response,  Frank
Livingstone  entered.
Her  eye  assisted  her  memory,  and  she  recognized
him  as  having  been  seen  by  her  on  the  vessel.
"  Sir,"  she  said,  extending  her  hand,  "  I  could  not
recall  you  until  I  saw  your  face  and  person ;  now,
however,  that  you  are  before  me,  my  recollection  grows
distinct."

Taking  her  hand,  Frank  answered  in  a  tone  of  the
deepest  respect :

''Madam,  you  are  right.  I  was  a  passenger  with
you  during  your  voyage  on  the  Britannia."

'"My  little  Midge,"  she  replied,  with  a  sad  smile,
"has  just  been  speaking  so  loudly  in  your  praise  that
he  has  quite  prepared  me  for  this  interview.  You  will
not  hesitate  to  make  freely  any  communication  you
may  deem  proper.  Although  my  confidence  has  been
so  cruelly  betrayed,  I  feel  assured  that  I  can  trust
you."

Frank  Livingstone  then  related  briefly  his  strange
interest  in  the  ladies,  his  efforts  to  discover  them,  his
father's  participation  in  his  plans,  their  difficulties,
perseverance,  and  final  success  in  obtaining  first  the


220  KINGS   OF  CAPITAL.
