"You're forgetting something," he broke in, rallying his assurance with an effort. "You're forgetting that while you were conspiring to keep me here, your lover, Bruce Bayard,"--drawling the words--"was meeting you secretly. What do you think your law will say to that?"
"I'll trust to it, Ned," she answered, in splendid composure. "I will trust to other men to judge between us--"
"Then, I won't!" he screamed, stepping quickly around the table, grasping for her arm. She retreated quickly and he lunged for her again and again missed.
Then, with a choking oath, he threw the table aside and the lamp went crashing to the floor.
"Then, I won't, damn you! You're my wife, to do as I please with; the law gave you to me, and it hasn't taken you from me yet!"
He advanced menacingly toward her as she backed into a corner, paling with actual fear now; his elbows stuck stiffly out from his sides, his hands were clenched at his hips, face thrust forward, feet carrying him to her with slow uncertainty.
"Ned--" Her voice quavered. "Ned, what are you going to do?"
She looked quickly from side to side and one hand clutched at her breast convulsively, clutched the cloth ... and something that was resting within her waist. She started and with a quick movement unbuttoned the garment at her bosom, reached in and drew out an automatic pistol.
"Ned, don't force me!" she said, slowly, voice unsteady.
The man halted, hesitated, backed away, both hands half raised.
"Ann, you wouldn't shoot me!" he whispered.
"You said ... you'd strangle me, Ned,"--leaning against the wall for support, because weakness had swept over her.
Lytton drew a hand across his eyes. He trembled visibly.
"But ... I was mad, Ann," he stammered. "I was crazy; I wouldn't...."
Her hands dropped to her sides and she turned her face from him, shutting her eyes and frowning at the helplessness that came over her with the excitement and the fear of a physical encounter. She could brave any moral clash, but her body was a woman's body, her strength a woman's strength, and now, when she faced disaster, her muscles failed her.
Ned comprehended. He stepped quickly to her side, reached to the hand that held the weapon, fastened on it and with a wrench, jerked it free from her limp grasp.