The fact that he had sent the money and that she had received it worked to the ease of his mind, for, as the thought that he had done it receded, his chagrin at it grew less and his hope of peace more.  He fancied, as he sat at his desk, that nothing would be done for a week or two.  Meanwhile, he would have time to think.

This process of thinking began by a reversion to Carrie and the arrangement by which he was to get her away from Drouet.  How about that now?  His pain at her failure to meet or write him rapidly increased as he devoted himself to this subject.  He decided to write her care of the West Side Post-office and ask for an explanation, as well as to have her meet him.  The thought that this letter would probably not reach her until Monday chafed him exceedingly.  He must get some speedier method—­but how?

He thought upon it for a half-hour, not contemplating a messenger or a cab direct to the house, owing to the exposure of it, but finding that time was slipping away to no purpose, he wrote the letter and then began to think again.

The hours slipped by, and with them the possibility of the union he had contemplated.  He had thought to be joyously aiding Carrie by now in the task of joining her interests to his, and here it was afternoon and nothing done.  Three o’clock came, four, five, six, and no letter.  The helpless manager paced the floor and grimly endured the gloom of defeat.  He saw a busy Saturday ushered out, the Sabbath in, and nothing done.  All day, the bar being closed, he brooded alone, shut out from home, from the excitement of his resort, from Carrie, and without the ability to alter his condition one iota.  It was the worst Sunday he had spent in his life.

In Monday’s second mail he encountered a very legal-looking letter, which held his interest for some time.  It bore the imprint of the law offices of McGregor, James and Hay, and with a very formal “Dear Sir,” and “We beg to state,” went on to inform him briefly that they had been retained by Mrs. Julia Hurstwood to adjust certain matters which related to her sustenance and property rights, and would he kindly call and see them about the matter at once.

He read it through carefully several times, and then merely shook his head.  It seemed as if his family troubles were just beginning.

“Well!” he said after a time, quite audibly, “I don’t know.”

Then he folded it up and put it in his pocket.

To add to his misery there was no word from Carrie.  He was quite certain now that she knew he was married and was angered at his perfidy.  His loss seemed all the more bitter now that he needed her most.  He thought he would go out and insist on seeing her if she did not send him word of some sort soon.  He was really affected most miserably of all by this desertion.  He had loved her earnestly enough, but now that the possibility of losing her stared him