The Judas Kiss by Herbert Adams

is tired of London and wants a change. She has found a woman who will work for her for a time. But if she returns and I receive her, it wipes out two years' desertion. It would have to start all over again. We should never be happy together. Come with me, precious Pearl. Trust me. We will soon make everything all right."
    He dropped the bridle he was holding and put both his hands on her shoulders.
    "I love you, darling. Can you look in my eyes and say you do not love me?"
    She could not look in his eyes. She knew how compelling they were, how handsome his clear-cut features. Would this end her troubles? Were all the ideals shattered? Did nothing matter?
    The answer came in an unexpected manner. Sandy did not like Mr. Dixon and he objected to anyone he disliked taking hold of his beloved mistress. He growled and then barked furiously. The sudden noise at his heels startled the free horse. He moved off and being unchecked began to bolt.
    "Your horse!" Pearl cried.
    Dixon swore and dashed after it. Pearl watched for a moment.
    "Come on, Sandy," she said. She hastened to the gap in the hedge and was lost to sight.
    She got home and lunched alone, though Sandy had some choice pieces that gave him great satisfaction. Emerald had gone somewhere with Gore-Black and Garnet did not appear. She had little appetite for what old Nan put before her.
    "Eat it up, dearie. Do you good. You're looking peaky. It'll be all right. She will soon be gone now."
    "I'm all right, Nan. Thank you."
    But her mind was in turmoil. Did she love Arthur Dixon? Did she love him well enough to do what her father and mother had done? Yet they had been free; neither was pledged to another. And they had been faithful. Could it make for happiness to ruin a home, even if the home was already broken? Should she go with Arthur, or with Adelaide? It would be wonderful to see the world. How she wished she had a mother to whom she could go for comfort and advice. Yet her mother, After lunch she tried to read. Her head ached. She tried to sleep, but it was useless. At four o'clock she went to old Nan and had a cup of tea. Then she thought another walk with Sandy would be good for them both. As she left the house a car entered the drive and a strange man looked out.
    "Pardon me," he said, raising his hat, "does Mrs. Michelmore, Mrs. Adelaide Michelmore, live here?" He was foreign-looking, with a pale face, dark hair and a short pointed beard.
    "She lives here," Pearl replied, "but I do not know if she can see you. I will ask her maid to enquire. What name shall I say?"
    "Gaston Bidaut. She knows me."
    Adelaide's husband! She had already half guessed it. What did it mean? How and why had he come?
    Actually Jasper had not been so clever as he thought. He had imagined he could slip away and Gaston would be left high and dry until he was wanted. He forgot he had mentioned, the art dealer. Gaston had called on M. Lanier and had learned that "Monsieur Jasper" was in fact Jasper Michelmore. The address had also been forthcoming and the hairdresser had decided to trace his erring wife himself.
    Pearl summoned Nan and gave her the name. Gaston got out of the car, a short man, stout, rather restless. He did not speak; neither did Pearl. She waited to know what Adelaide's reply would be. Nan soon returned. She said Mrs. Michelmore would see him. He followed her into the house.
    What now? Would their tangled affairs have a fresh complication? Or would this simplify them? Pearl went back to her little flat and stood in the window that faced the drive to see what would happen. Would Adelaide go with him? Did he want her to? Would he try force? She waited. She did not know how long; it seemed the best part of an hour.
    Then she saw him. He emerged from the house, alone. He looked angry. He caught sight of her at her window as he approached his car. He again raised his hat, took his seat and drove away.
    She followed him swiftly to the road, perhaps to resume her walk, perhaps to see