It is perfectly clear who blackmailed you, and if you like you can have him in the hollow of your hand.'
' Bilton,' said Bertie.
' Of course. He really is rather a charming character. He had a grudge against me, because I told Sybil Brancepeth of—of past events. He has made a good attempt to pay it off. Now, what will you do? Personally, I should like you to prosecute him, and I will come to the trial. You could get him years and years for that. But you must not do it except with your wife's permission. England is the home of linen-washing in public; it is the one industry that remains to us. But you must ask her first. Tell me, what terms are you on?'
' Polite speaking terms.'
Dorothy laughed.
' What fools husbands and wives are!' she remarked. ' Why don't you have it out with her? Why don't you explode, boil over, beat her, or something? It is partly my fault, too. I saw she thought there was more to be told, and I did not trouble to convince her, for she did behave so primly. Nose in the air, as if I was a bad smell.'
She paused a moment.
' Go to her now at once,' she said, ' before you have time to think it over. Show her the letter; tell her the whole story. Off with you. Ah! wait a minute.'
She left the room quickly, and came back again with the dressing-bag in her hand.
' Will you take it now?' she said, with her enchanting smile.
He could not speak; there was a pathos about her gaiety that gripped his throat.
' All happiness to you and her, dear Bertie,' she said. ' Now go away.'
It was between eleven and twelve that night when Bertie
