’I don’t know that it matters.  You said “poor Rolfe”.  I should fancy he is poor, in every sense.  As I have said so much, it’s better to let you know all; it will show you that I am not exaggerating what I have gone through.  People knew, of course, that she had called herself a friend of mine; and just then she came into notice —­ just enough to give her opportunities of being dangerous.  Well, I heard before long that she was slandering me to all her acquaintances.  Oh, she knew all about me!  It was lucky for me I had a credulous husband.  And it still goes on.  She came here not long ago; yes, she came.  She told me that she knew I was afraid of her, and she threatened me.’

Hugh sat staring like a paralytic.

‘She?  Rolfe’s wife did this?’

’Her motive, I don’t know.  Pure hatred, it seemed.  But I’ve had a strange fancy.  She talked about a woman I used to know very slightly, a Mrs. Strangeways, and seemed to be in fear of her; she said that woman and I were circulating stories about her.  And I have wondered —­ Why are you looking like that?’

’She must be mad. —­ I’ll tell you.  I only wish I had told you before.  She was there that night —­ at Redgrave’s.  But for her it would never have happened.  I saw him standing with her, by the window of his room —­ that is, I saw a woman, but it wasn’t light enough to know her; and all at once she ran back, through the open French windows into the house; and then I rushed in and found her there —­ it was Rolfe’s wife.’

‘Why did you keep this from me?’

’She implored me —­ vowed there was nothing wrong —­ cried and begged.  And I thought of Rolfe.  I see now that I ought to have told him.  The woman must be crazy to have behaved like this to you.’

Sibyl’s face shone.

’Now I understand.  This explains her.  Oh, my dear, foolish husband!  After all, you did not tell the whole truth.  To spare your friend’s feelings, you risked your wife’s reputation.  And I have been at the mercy of that woman’s malice!  Don’t you think, Hugh, that I have had to bear a little more than I deserved?  Your distrust and what came of it —­ I have long forgiven you all that.  But this —­ wasn’t it rather too hard upon me?’

He flinched under her soft reproach.

’I couldn’t be sure, Sibyl.  Perhaps it was true —­ perhaps she was only there ——­’

A flash of scorn from her eyes struck him into silence.

’Perhaps?  And perhaps she meant no harm in lying about me!  You will send at once for Rolfe and tell him.’

Hugh moved from her, and stood with his face averted.

‘Can you hesitate for a moment?’ she asked severely

’Why need I tell Rolfe?  Send for her, and say what you like.  Won’t that be enough?  It’s awful to think of telling Rolfe.  Don’t ask me do to that, Sibyl.’

He approached her, voice and attitude broken to humility.  Sibyl grew only more resolute.