this part of the story.  Now she did.  That her husband was capable of it she fully believed.  Quiet, reticent men like Felix—­men who had served their country both in India and Egypt—­men who never boasted, who never discussed their intentions or plans until they were carried out, were the men to take the law into their own hands when their honor was involved, no matter who was hurt.  Such a catastrophe would not only bring to light her own misery, but the unavoidable publicity would tarnish still further the good name of her people at home.  Even were only an attempt on Dalton’s life made, and an official investigation held—­ as she was convinced would be the case—­the scandal would be almost as bad.  Rather than have this occur she would make any sacrifice, even that of humiliating herself on her knees before Felix—­begging his forgiveness, not for the sake of the man she now feared and detested, but for the sake of her father at home, and to shield her own identity.  She feared, too, for Felix.  He, of all men, should be saved from committing such an act.

With this a sudden resolve born of her fears and shattered nerves took possession of her.  She would not only see her husband whenever he came, but she would send word in the morning to Stephen to redouble his search, leaving no stone unturned until he was found.

Nothing of all this did she say to Martha, who helped her dress, watching the dark circles beneath the eyes.  Breakfast over, she silently took her seat by the window, drew from the big paper box at her feet her several pieces of lace, including the mantilla, and began to work.

As she held up to the light the ragged tear in the Spanish lace, and noted the width and length of the gash in its delicate texture, her heart sank.  She saw at a glance that she could not finish it before closing time, even if she devoted the whole day to its repair.  Better complete, thought she, the other and smaller pieces—­one a fichu of Brussels lace, and the others some embroidered handkerchiefs on which she was to place monograms.  These she would finish and take to Mangan.  When he saw how tired she was, he would accept her excuses and give her another day for the large and more important piece.  She did not have to leave the house until four o’clock, and as Martha was to be out most of the day, she could work on without distraction of any kind.

When, at noon, Martha left her, with a caressing pat of the hand, promising to be back in time for supper, the anxious, weary woman picked up her needle again, her fingers darting in and out like shuttles, her shoulders aching with the strain, her mind still intent on the problems which had tortured her all night, and only rousing herself when the clock in a neighboring tower struck four.  Then she gathered up her work, wrapped the whole in the same sheet of tissue-paper in which the several pieces had been packed, and, adjusting her hat and cloak, started for Rosenthal’s.