Ofcourse，shecouldnotwastetendernessonthisman，forshehaddeliberatelysetouttomakehimtheinstrumentofhervengeanceagainsthisfather。Forthatveryreason，shesufferedmuchfromaconsciencenewlyclamorous。Neverforaninstantdidshehesitateinherlong-cherishedplanofrevengeagainsttheonewhohadbroughtruinonherlife，yet，throughallhersatisfactionbeforetheprospectoffinalvictoryaftercontinueddelay，thereranthesecret，inescapablesorrowoverthefactthatshemustemploythismeanstoattainherend。Shehadnothoughtofweakening，butthebetterspiritwithinherwarredagainstthelusttorepayaneyeforaneye。ItwasthenewGospelagainsttheoldLaw，andthefiercenessofthestrugglerenther。Justnow，thedoingofthekindlyactseemedsomehowtogratifynotonlyhermaternalinstincttowardserviceoflove，but，too，tomuffleforalittletherebukingvoiceofherinmostsoul。
　　Soshewentherwaymoreatease，morenearlycontentagainwithherselfandwithhersystemofliving。Indeed，asshewasshownintotheprivateofficeoftheingeniousinterpreterofthelaw，therewasnotahintofanytroublebeneaththebrightmaskofherbeauty，radiantlysmiling。
　　Harrisregardedhisclientwithanappreciativeeye，ashebowedingreeting，andinvitedhertoaseat。Thelawyerwasamanoffinephysique，withasplendidfaceofthebestSemitictype，inwhichwerelarge，dark，sparklingeyes——eyesaLombrosoperhapsmighthavejudgedrathertoocloselyset。Asamatteroffact，Harrishadsufferedaflagrantinjusticeinhisownlifefromasuspicionofwrong-doingwhichhehadnotmeritedbyanyact。
　　Thishadcausedhimalossofprestigeinhisprofession。Hepresentlyadoptedthewilysuggestionoftheadage，thatitiswelltohavethegameifyouhavethename，andheresolutelysethimselftothetaskofmakingasmuchmoneyaspossiblebyanymeansconvenient。MaryTurnerasaclientdelightedhisheart，bothbecauseofthenoveltyofherideasandforthemunificenceofthefeeswhichsheungrudginglypaidwithneveraprotest。
　　So，ashebeamedonhernow，andspokeacompliment，itwasratherthelawyerthanthemanthatwasmovedtoadmiration。
　　"Why，MissTurner，howcharming!"hedeclared，smiling。"Really，mydearyounglady，youlookpositivelybridal。"
　　"Oh，doyouthinkso？"Maryrejoined，withawhimsicalpout，assheseatedherself。Forthemomentherairbecamedistrait，butshequicklyregainedherpoise，asthelawyer，whohaddroppedbackintohischairbehindthedesk，wentonspeaking。Histonenowwascrisplybusiness-like。
　　"Isentyourcousin，MissAgnesLynch，thereleasewhichsheistosign，"heexplained，"whenshegetsthatmoneyfromGeneralHastings。Iwishyou'dlookitover，whenyouhavetimetospare。It'sallright，I'msure，butIconfessthatIappreciateyouropinionofthings，MissTurner，evenoflegaldocuments——yes，indeed，Ido!——perhapsparticularlyoflegaldocuments。"
　　"Thankyou，"Marysaid，evidentlyalittlegratifiedbythefrankpraiseofthelearnedgentlemanforherabilities。"Andhaveyouheardfromthemyet？"sheinquired。
　　"No，"thelawyerreplied。"Igavethemuntilto-morrow。IfI
　　don'thearthen，Ishallstartsuitatonce。"Thenthelawyer'smannerbecameunusuallyblandandself-satisfiedasheopenedadrawerofthedeskandbroughtfortharatherformidable-appearingdocument，bearingamostimpressiveseal。
　　"Youwillbegladtoknow，"hewentonunctuously，"thatIwasentirelysuccessfulincarryingoutthatideaofyoursastotheinjunction。MydearMissTurner，"hewentonwithfloridcompliment，"Portiawasasquawkingbaby，comparedwithyou。"
　　"Thankyouagain，"Maryanswered，asshetookthelegalpaperwhichheheldoutstretchedtowardher。Herscarletlipswerecurvedhappily，andtheclearovalofhercheeksblossomedtoadeeperrose。Foramoment，herglanceranoverthewordsofthepage。Thenshelookedupatthelawyer，andtherewerenewlustersinthevioleteyes。
　　"It'ssplendid，"shedeclared。"Didyouhavemuchtroubleingettingit？"
　　Harrispermittedhimselftheindulgenceofanunprofessionalchuckleofkeenestamusementbeforeheanswered。
　　"Why，no!"hedeclared，withreminiscentenjoymentinhismanner。
　　"Thatis，notreally!"Therewasanenormouscomplacencyinhisairovertheevent。"But，attheoutset，whenImadetherequest，thejudgejustnaturallynearlyfelloffthebench。
　　Then，IshowedhimthatDetroitcase，towhichyouhaddrawnmyattention，andtheupshotofitallwasthathegavemewhatI
　　wantedwithoutawhimper。Hecouldn'thelphimself，youknow。
　　That'sthelongandtheshortofit。"
　　Thatmysteriousdocumentwiththeimposingseal，therequestforwhichhadnearlycausedajudgetofalloffthebench，reposedsafelyinMary'sbagwhenshe，returnedtotheapartmentafterthevisittothelawyer'soffice。
　　CHAPTERX。MARKEDMONEY。
　　MaryhadscarcelyreceivedfromAggieanaccountofCassidy'sthreateninginvasion，whenthemaidannouncedthatMr。Irwinhadcalled。
　　"Showhimin，injusttwominutes，"Marydirected。
　　"Who'sthegink？"Aggiedemanded，withthatslangydictionwhichwasherhabit。
　　"Yououghttoknow，"Maryreturned，smilingalittle。"He'sthelawyerretainedbyGeneralHastingsinthematterofacertainbreach-of-promisesuit。"
　　"Oh，youmeanyourstruly，"Aggieexclaimed，notintheleastabashedbyherforgetfulnessinanaffairthatconcernedherselfsoclosely。"Hopehe'sbroughtthemoney。Whataboutit？"
　　"Leavetheroomnow，"Maryordered，crisply。"WhenIcalltoyou，comein，butbesureandleaveeverythingtome。Merelyfollowmylead。And，Agnes——beveryingenue。"
　　"Oh，I'mwise——I'mwise，"Aggienodded，asshehurriedouttowardherbedroom。"I'llbeasquab——surestthingyouknow!"
　　Nextmoment，Marygaveaformalgreetingtothelawyerwhorepresentedthemansheplannedtomulcteffectively，andinvitedhimtoachairnearher，whilesheherselfretainedherplaceatthedesk，withinadrawerofwhichshehadjustlockedtheformidable-appearingdocumentreceivedfromHarris。
　　Irwinlostnotimeincomingtothepoint。
　　"Icalledinreferencetothissuit，whichMissAgnesLynchthreatenstobringagainstmyclient，GeneralHastings。"
　　Maryregardedtheattorneywithalevelglance，serenelyexpressionlessasfarascouldbeachievedbyeyessoclearandshining，andhervoicewascoldassherepliedwithsignificantbrusqueness。
　　"It'snotathreat，Mr。Irwin。Thesuitwillbebrought。"
　　Thelawyerfrowned，andtherewasastridentnoteinhisvoicewhenheanswered，meetingherglancewithanuncompromisingstareofhostility。
　　"Yourealize，ofcourse，"hesaidfinally，"thatthisismerelyplainblackmail。"
　　Therewasnotthechangeofafeatureinthefaceofthewomanwholistenedtotheaccusation。Hereyessteadfastlyretainedtheircleargazeintohis；hervoicewasstillcoldlyformal，asbefore。
　　"Ifit'sblackmail，Mr。Irwin，whydon'tyouconsultthepolice？"
　　sheinquired，withmanifestdisdain。Maryturnedtothemaid，whonowenteredinresponsetothebellshehadsoundedaminutebefore。"Fanny，willyouaskMissLynchtocomein，please？"
　　Thenshefacedthelawyeragain，withanaloofnessofmannerthatwascontemptuous。"Really，Mr。Irwin，"shedrawled，"whydon'tyoutakethismattertothepolice？"
　　Thereplywasutteredwithconspicuousexasperation。
　　"Youknowperfectlywell，"thelawyersaidbitterly，"thatGeneralHastingscannotaffordsuchpublicity。Hispositionwouldbejeopardized。"
　　"Oh，asforthat，"Marysuggestedevenly，andnowtherewasatraceofflippancyinherfashionofspeaking，"I'msurethepolicewouldkeepyourcomplaintasecret。Really，youknow，Mr。
　　Irwin，Ithinkyouhadbettertakeyourtroublestothepolice，ratherthantome。Youwillgetmuchmoresympathyfromthem。"
　　Thelawyersprangup，withanairofsuddendetermination。
　　"Verywell，Iwillthen，"hedeclared，sternly。"Iwill!"
　　Mary，fromhervantagepointatthedeskacrossfromhim，smiledasmilethatwouldhavebeenveryengagingtoanymanundermorefavorablecircumstances，andshepushedinhisdirectionthetelephonethatstoodthere。
　　"3100，Spring，"sheremarked，encouragingly，"willbringanofficeralmostimmediately。"Sheleanedbackinherchair，andsurveyedthebaffledmanamusedly。
　　Thelawyerwasfuriousoverthefailureofhisefforttointimidatethisextraordinarilyself-possessedyoungwoman，whomadeamockofhiseverythrust。Buthewasbynomeansattheendofhisresources。
　　"Nevertheless，"herejoined，"youknowperfectlywellthatGeneralHastingsneverpromisedtomarrythisgirl。Youknow——"HebrokeoffasAggieenteredthedrawing-room，Now，thegirlwasdemureinseemingalmostbeyondbelief，achildishcreature，veryfairanddainty，guilelesssurely，withthoseuntroubledeyesofblue，thosesoftlycurvinglipsofwarmestredandthemoredelicatebloomintheroundedcheeks。
　　Therewerethecharmsofinnocenceandsimplicityinthemannerofherasshestoppedjustwithinthedoorway，whencesheregardedMarywithatimid，pleadinggaze，herslenderlittleformpoisedlightlyasifforflight"Didyouwantme，dear？"sheasked。Therewassomethinghalf-plaintiveinthemodulatedcadencesofthequery。
　　"Agnes，"Maryansweredaffectionately，"thisisMr。Irwin，whohascometoseeyouinbehalfofGeneralHastings。"
　　"Oh!"thegirlmurmured，hervoicequiveringalittle，asthelawyer，afterashortnod，droppedagainintohisseat；"oh，I'msofrightened!"Shehurried，fluttering，toalowstoolbehindthedesk，besideMary'schair，andthereshesankdown，droopingslightly，andcatchingholdofoneofMary'shandsasifinmutepleadingforprotectionagainstthefearthatbesetherchastesoul。
　　"Nonsense!"Maryexclaimed，soothingly。"There'sreallynothingatalltobefrightenedabout，mydearchild。"Hervoicewasthatwithwhichoneseekstocajoleaterrifiedinfant。"Youmustn'tbeafraid，Agnes。Mr。IrwinsaysthatGeneralHastingsdidnotpromisetomarryyou。Ofcourse，youunderstand，mydear，thatundernocircumstancesmustyousayanythingthatisn'tstrictlytrue，andthat，ifhedidnotpromisetomarryyou，youhavenocase——noneatall。Now，Agnes，tellme:didGeneralHastingspromisetomarryyou？"
　　"Oh，yes——oh，yes，indeed!"Aggiecried，falteringly。"AndIwishhewould。He'ssuchadelightfuloldgentleman!"Asshespoke，thegirlletgoMary'shandandclaspedherowntogetherecstatically。
　　Thelegalrepresentativeofthedelightfuloldgentlemanscowleddisgustedlyatthisoutburst。Hisvoicewasportentous，asheputaquestion。
　　"Wasthatpromisemadeinwriting？"
　　"No，"Aggieanswered，gushingly。"Butallhisletterswereinwriting，youknow。Suchwonderfulletters!"Sheraisedherblueeyestowardtheceilinginanaiverapture。"Sotender，andso——er——interesting!"Somehow，theinflectiononthelastworddidnotaltogethersuggesttheingenuous。
　　"Yes，yes，Idaresay，"Irwinagreed，hastily，withsomeevidencesofchagrin。Hehadnointentionofdwellingonthatfeatureoftheletters，concerningwhichhehadnodoubtwhatsoever，sinceheknewtheamorousGeneralverywellindeed。
　　Theywouldbeinteresting，beyondshadowofquestioning，horriblyinteresting。Suchwastheconfessedopinionoftheswainhimselfwhohadwrittentheminhisfolly——horriblyinterestingtoallthereadingpublicofthecountry，sincetheGeneralwasaconspicuousfigure。
　　Maryintervenedwithasuavitythatinfuriatedthelawyeralmostbeyondendurance。
　　"Butyou'requitesure，Agnes，"shequestionedgently，"thatGeneralHastingsdidpromisetomarryyou？"Thecandorofhermannerwasperfect。
　　AndtheanswerofAggiewasgivenwithalikeconvincingemphasis。
　　"Oh，yes!"shedeclared，tensely。"Why，Iwouldsweartoit。"
　　Thelimpideyes，soappealingintheirsoftlusters，wentfirsttoMary，thengazedtrustinglyintothoseoftheroutedattorney。
　　"Yousee，Mr。Irwin，shewouldsweartothat，"emphasizedMary。
　　"We'rebeaten，"heconfessed，dejectedly，turninghisglancetowardMary，whom，plainly，heregardedashisrealadversaryinthecombatonhisclient'sbehalf。"I'mgoingtobequitefrankwithyou，MissTurner，quitefrank，"hestatedwithmoregeniality，thoughwithaverycrestfallenair。Somehow，indeed，therewasjustashadetoomuchofthecrestfalleninthefashionofhisutterance，andthewomanwhomheaddressedwatchedwarilyashecontinued。"Wecan'taffordanyscandal，sowe'regoingtosettleatyourownterms。"Hepausedexpectantly，butMaryofferednocomment；onlymaintainedheralertscrutinyoftheman。Thelawyer，therefore，leanedforwardwithasemblanceoffrankeagerness。Instantly，Aggiehadbecomeagogwithgreedilyblissfulanticipations，andsheutteredaslightejaculationofjoy；butIrwinpaidnoheedtoher。Hewasoccupiedintakingfromhispocketathickbill-case，andfromthispresentlyasheafofbanknotes，whichhelaidonthedeskbeforeMary，withalittlelaughofdiscomfitureoverhavingbeenbeateninthecontest。
　　Ashedidso，Aggiethrustforthanavaricioushand，butitwascaughtandheldbyMarybeforeitreachedabovethetopofthedesk，andtheavariciousgesturepassedunobservedbytheattorney。
　　"Wecan'tfightwhereladiesareconcerned，"hewenton，assuming，asbesthemightcontrive，achivalroustone。"So，ifyouwilljusthandoverGeneralHastings'letters，why，here'syourmoney。"
　　Muchtothespeaker'ssurprise，therefollowedanintervalofsilence，andhispuzzlementshowedintheknittingofhisbrows。
　　"Youhavetheletters，haven'tyou？"hedemanded，abruptly。
　　Aggiecoylytookathickbundlefromitsrestingplaceonherroundedbosom。
　　"Theyneverleaveme，"shemurmured，withdulcetpassion。Therewasinhervoiceasuggestionofdesolation——adesolationthatwastheblightingeffectoflettingthecherishedmissivesgofromher。
　　"Well，theycanleaveyounow，allright，"thelawyerremarkedunsympathetically，butwithreturningcheerfulness，sincehesawtheendofhisquestinvisibleformbeforehim。Hereachedquicklyforwardforthepacket，whichAggieextendedwillinglyenough。ButitwasMarywho，withaswiftmovement，caughtandheldit。
　　"Notquiteyet，Mr。Irwin，I'mafraid，"shesaid，calmly。
　　Thelawyerbarelysuppressedaviolentejaculationofannoyance。
　　"Butthere'sthemoneywaitingforyou，"heprotested，indignantly。
　　TherejoinderfromMarywasspokenwithgreatdeliberation，yetwithanoteofdeterminationthatcausedaquickandacuteanxietytotheGeneral'srepresentative。
　　"Ithink，"Maryexplainedtranquilly，"thatyouhadbetterseeourlawyer，Mr。Harris，inreferencetothis。Wewomenknownothingofsuchdetailsofbusinesssettlement。"
　　"Oh，there'snoneedforallthatformality，"Irwinurged，withagreatappearanceofblandfriendliness。
　　"Justthesame，"Marypersisted，unimpressed，"I'mquitesureyouwouldbetterseeMr。Harrisfirst。"Therewasacadenceofinsistenceinhervoicethatassuredthelawyerastothefutilityoffurtherpretenseonhispart。
　　"Oh，Isee，"hesaiddisagreeably，withafrowntoindicatehiscompletesagacityinthepremises。
　　"Ithoughtyouwould，Mr。Irwin，"Maryreturned，andnowshesmiledinakindlymanner，which，nevertheless，gavenopleasuretothechagrinedmanbeforeher。Asherose，shewentoncrisply:"Ifyou'lltakethemoneytoMr。Harris，MissLynchwillmeetyouinhisofficeatfouro'clockthisafternoon，and，whenhersuitfordamagesforbreachofpromisehasbeenlegallysettledoutofcourt，youwillgettheletters……
　　Good-afternoon，Mr。Irwin。"
　　Thelawyermadeahurriedbowwhichtookinbothofthewomen，andwalkedquicklytowardthedoor。ButhewasarrestedbeforehereacheditbythevoiceofMary，speakingagain，stillinthatimperturbableevennesswhichsoraspedhisnerves，forallitsmellowresonance。Butthistimetherewasasting，ofthesharpest，inthewordsthemselves。
　　"Oh，youforgotyourmarkedmoney，Mr。Irwin，"Marysaid。
　　Thelawyerwheeled，andstoodstaringatthespeakerwithacertainsheepishnessofexpressionthatborewitnesstothecompletenessofhisdiscomfiture。Withoutaword，afteralongmomentinwhichheperceivedintentlythedelicate，yetsubtlyenergetic，lovelinessofthisslenderwoman，hewalkedbacktothedesk，pickedupthemoney，andrestoredittothebill-case。
　　Thisdone，atlasthespoke，withanewrespectinhisvoice，aquizzicalsmileonhisratherthinlips。
　　"Youngwoman，"hesaidemphatically，"yououghttohavebeenalawyer。"Andwiththatlaudatoryconfessionofherskill，hefinallytookhisdeparture，whileMarysmiledinatriumphshewasatnopainstoconceal，andAggiesatgapingastonishmentoverthesurprisingturnofevents。
　　Itwasthelattervolatilepersonwhoendedthesilencethatfollowedonthelawyer'sgoing。
　　"You'vedarnnearbrokemyheart，"shecried，bouncingupviolently，"lettingallthatmoneygooutofthehouse……Say，howdidyouknowitwasmarked？"
　　"Ididn't，"Maryreplied，blandly；"butitwasaprettygoodguess，wasn'tit？Couldn'tyouseethatallhewantedwastogettheletters，andhaveustakethemarkedmoney？Then，mysimpleyoungfriend，wewouldhavebeenarrestedveryneatlyindeed——forblackmail。"
　　Aggie'sinnocenteyesroundedinanamazedconsternation，whichwasnotatallassumed。
　　"Gee!"shecried。"Thatwouldhavebeenfierce!Andnow？"shequestioned，apprehensively。
　　Mary'sanswerrepudiatedanypossibilityoffear。
　　"Andnow，"sheexplainedcontentedly，"hereallywillgotoourlawyer。There，hewillpayoverthatsamemarkedmoney。Then，hewillgetthelettershewantssomuch。And，justbecauseit'sastrictlybusinesstransactionbetweentwolawyers，witheverythingdoneaccordingtolegalethics——"
　　"What'slegalethics？"Aggiedemanded，impetuously。"Theysoundsometasty!"Withthecomment，shedroppedweaklyintoachair。
　　Marylaughedincare-freeenjoyment，aswellshemightafterwinningthevictoryinsuchabattleofwits。
　　"Oh，"shesaid，happily，"youjustgetitlegally，andyougettwiceasmuch!"
　　"Andit'sactuallythesameoldgame!"Aggiemused。Shewasdoingherbesttogetaclearunderstandingofthematter，thoughtoheritwasallamysterymostesoteric。
　　Maryreviewedthecasesuccinctlyfortheother'senlightenment。
　　"Yes，it'sthesamegameprecisely，"sheaffirmed。"Ashamelessoldrouemakeslovetoyou，andhewritesyouastackofsillyletters。"
　　Thepoutinglipsofthelistenertookonapatheticdroop，andhervoicequiveredasshespokewithaneffectivesemblanceofvirginalterror。
　　"Hemighthaveruinedmylife!"
　　Marycontinuedwithoutgivingmuchattentiontothesehistrionics。
　　"Ifyouhadaskedhimforallthismoneyforthereturnofhisletters，itwouldhavebeenblackmail，andwe'dhavegonetojailinallhumanprobability。Butwedidnosuchthing——no，indeed!
　　Whatwedidwasn'tanythinglikethatintheeyesofthelaw。
　　Whatwedidwasmerelytohaveyourlawyertakestepstowardasuitfordamagesforbreachofpromiseofmarriageforthesumoftenthousanddollars。Then，hislawyerappearsinbehalfofGeneralHastings，andtherefollowanumberofconferencesbetweenthelegalrepresentativesoftheopposingparties。Bymeansoftheseconferences，thetwolegalgentlemenrunupveryrespectablebillsofexpenses。Intheend，wegetourtenthousanddollars，andtheflightyoldGeneralgetsbackhisletters……Mydear，"Maryconcludedvaingloriously，"we'reinsidethelaw，andsowe'reperfectlysafe。Andthereyouare!"
　　CHAPTERXI。THETHIEF。
　　Maryremainedinjoyousspiritsafterhervictoriousmatchingofbrainsagainstalawyerofhighstandinginhisprofession。Forthetimebeing，consciencewasmutedbygratifiedambition。Herthoughtsjustthenwerefarfromthemiseriesofthepast，withtheireviltrainofconsequencesinthepresent。Butthatpastwassoontoberecalledtoherwithavividnessmostterrible。
　　Shehadenteredthetelephone-booth，whichshehadcausedtobeinstalledoutofanextraclosetofherbedroomforthesakeofgreaterprivacyonoccasion，anditwasduringherabsencefromthedrawing-roomthatGarsonagaincameintotheapartment，seekingher。OnbeingtoldbyAggieastoMary'swhereabouts，hesatdowntoawaitherreturn，listeningwithoutmuchinteresttothechatteroftheadventuress……Itwasjustthenthatthemaidappeared。
　　"There'sagirlwantstoseeMissTurner，"sheexplained。
　　TheirrepressibleAggieputonhermostfinicallyelegantair。
　　"Hassheacard？"sheinquiredhaughtily，whilethemaidtitteredappreciation。
　　"No，"wastheanswer。"Butshesaysit'simportant。Iguessthepoorthing'sinhardluck，fromthelookofher，"thekindlyFannieadded。
　　"Oh，thenshe'llbewelcome，ofcourse，"Aggiedeclared，andGarsonnoddedinacquiescence。"Tellhertocomeinandwait，Fannie。MissTurnerwillbehererightaway。"SheturnedtoGarsonasthemaidlefttheroom。"Marysureisaneasyboob，"
　　sheremarked，cheerfully。"Blesshersoftheart!"
　　Acuriouslygentlesmileofappreciationsoftenedtheimmobilityoftheforger'sfaceasheagainnoddedassent。
　　"WemightjustaswellpipeofftheskirtbeforeMarygetshere，"
　　Aggiesuggested，witheagerness。
　　Aminutelater，agirlperhapstwentyyearsofagesteppedjustwithinthedoorway，andstoodtherewitheyesdowncast，afteroneswift，furtiveglanceabouther。Herwholeappearancewasthatofdejection。Hersoiledblackgown，thecringingposture，thepallorofherface，proclaimedtheabjectmiseryofherstate。
　　Aggie，whowasnotexuberantinhersympathiesforanyoneotherthanherself，addressedthenewcomerwithapatronizinginflection，modulatedinherbestmanner。
　　"Won'tyoucomein，please？"sherequested。
　　Theshrinkinggirlshotanotherveiledlookinthedirectionofthespeaker。
　　"AreyouMissTurner？"sheasked，inavoicebrokenbynervousdismay。
　　"Really，Iamverysorry，"Aggiereplied，primly；"butIamonlyhercousin，MissAgnesLynch。ButMissTurnerislikelytobebackanyminutenow。"
　　"CanIwait？"camethetimidquestion。
　　"Certainly，"Aggieanswered，hospitably。"Pleasesitdown。"
　　Asthegirlobedientlysankdownonthenearestchair，Garsonaddressedhersharply，sothatthevisitorstarteduneasilyattheunexpectedsound。
　　"Youdon'tknowMissTurner？"
　　"No，"camethefaintreply。
　　"Then，whatdoyouwanttoseeherabout？"
　　Therewasabriefpausebeforethegirlcouldpluckupcourageenoughforananswer。Then，itwasspokenconfusedly，almostinawhisper。
　　"Sheoncehelpedagirlfriendofmine，andIthought——I
　　thought——"
　　"Youthoughtshemighthelpyou，"Garsoninterrupted。
　　ButAggie，too，possessedsomeperceptivepowers，despitethefactthatshepreferredtousethemlittleinordinaryaffairs。
　　"Youhavebeeninstir——prison，Imean。"Shehastilycorrectedthelapseintounderworldslang。
　　Cameadistressedmutteringofassentfromthegirl。
　　"Howsad!"Aggieremarked，inavoiceofshockedpityforonesoinconceivablyunfortunate。"Howvery，verysad!"
　　ThisingenuousmethodofdiversionwasputtoanendbytheentranceofMary，whostoppedshortonseeingthelimpfigurehuddledinthechair。
　　"Avisitor，Agnes？"sheinquired。
　　Atthesoundofhervoice，andbeforeAggiecouldhitonafittinglyelegantformofreply，thegirllookedup。Andnow，forthefirsttime，shespokewithsomedegreeofenergy，albeittherewasasinisterundertoneinthehuskyvoice。
　　"You'reMissTurner？"shequestioned。
　　"Yes，"Marysaid，simply。Herwordsrangkindly；andshesmiledencouragement。
　　Agaspburstfromthewhitelipsofthegirl，andshecoweredasonestrickenphysically。
　　"MaryTurner!Oh，myGod!I——"Shehidherfacewithinherarmsandsatbentuntilherheadrestedonherkneesinanabasementofmisery。
　　Vaguelystartledbythehystericaloutburstfromthegirl，Mary'simmediatethoughtwasthatherewasapitifulinstanceofonesufferingfromstarvation。
　　"Joe，"shedirectedrapidly，"haveFanniebringaglassofmilkwithaneggandalittlebrandyinit，rightaway。"
　　Thegirlinthechairwasshakingsoundlesslyunderthestressofheremotions。Afewdisjointedphrasesfellfromherquiveringlips。
　　"Ididn'tknow——oh，Icouldn't!"
　　"Don'ttrytotalkjustnow，"Marywarned，reassuringly。"Waituntilyou'vehadsomethingtoeat。"
　　Aggie，whohadobserveddevelopmentsclosely，nowliftedhervoiceintardylamentationsoverherownstupidity。Therewasnoaffectationofthefineladyinherself-reproach。
　　"Why，thepoorgawk'shungry!"sheexclaimed!"AndInevergotthedopeonher。Ain'tIthesimp!"
　　Thegirlregainedadegreeofself-control，andshowedsomethingofforlorndignity。
　　"Yes，"shesaiddully，"I'mstarving。"
　　Maryregardedtheafflictedcreaturewiththatsympathybornonlyofexperience。
　　"Yes，"shesaidsoftly，"Iunderstand。"ThenshespoketoAggie。
　　"Takehertomyroom，andletherrestthereforawhile。Haveherdrinktheeggandmilkslowly，andthenliedownforafewminutesanyhow。"
　　Aggieobeyedwithanairofbustlingactivity。
　　"Sure，Iwill!"shedeclared。Shewenttothegirlandhelpedhertostandup。"We'llfixyououtallright，"shesaid，comfortingly。"Comealongwithme……Hungry!Gee，butthat'stough!"
　　Halfanhourafterward，whileMarywasatherdesk，givingpartofherattentiontoJoeGarson，whosatnear，andparttoaratherformidablepileofneatlyarrangedpapers，Aggiereportedwithhercharge，who，thoughstillshamblingofgait，andstooping，showedbysomefaintcolorinherfaceandanincreasedsteadinessofbearingthatthefoodhadalreadystrengthenedhermuch。
　　"Shewouldcome，"Aggieexplained。"Ithoughtsheoughttorestforawhilelongeranyhow。"Shehalf-shovedthegirlintoachairoppositethedesk，inanabsurdtravestyonthematernalmanner。
　　"I'mallright，Itellyou，"camethequerulousprotest。
　　Whereupon，Aggiegaveovertheuncongenialtaskofmothering，andsettledherselfcomfortablyinachair，withherlegsmerelycrossedasacompromisebetweeneaseandpropriety。
　　"Areyouquitesure？"Marysaidtothegirl。Andthen，astheothernoddedinassent，shespokewithacompellingkindliness。
　　"Thenyoumusttellusallaboutit——thistroubleofyours，youknow。Whatisyourname？"
　　Onceagainthegirlhadrecoursetotheswift，searching，furtiveglance，buthervoicewascolorlessasshereplied，listlessly:
　　"HelenMorris。"
　　Maryregardedthegirlwithanexpressionthatwasinscrutablewhenshespokeagain。
　　"Idon'thavetoaskifyouhavebeeninprison，"shesaidgravely。"Yourfaceshowsit。"
　　"I——Icameout——threemonthsago，"wasthehaltingadmission。
　　Marywatchedtheshrinkingfigurereflectivelyforalongminutebeforeshespokeagain。Thentherewasadeeperresonanceinhervoice。
　　"Andyou'dmadeupyourmindtogostraight？"
　　"Yes。"Thewordwasawhisper。
　　"Youweregoingtodowhatthechaplainhadtoldyou，"Marywentoninavoicevibrantwithvariedemotions。"Youweregoingtostartalloveragain，weren'tyou？Youweregoingtobeginanewlife，weren'tyou？"Thebentheadofthegirlbentstilllowerinassent。TherecameacynicalnoteintoMary'sutterancenow。
　　"Itdoesn'tworkverywell，doesit？"sheasked，bitterly。
　　Thegirlgavesullenagreement。
　　"No，"shesaiddully；"I'mwhipped。"
　　Mary'smannerchangedontheinstant。Shespokecheerfullyforthefirsttime。
　　"Well，then，"shequestioned，"howwouldyouliketoworkwithus？"
　　Thegirllookedupforasecondwithanotherofherfleeting，stealthyglances。
　　"You——youmeanthat——？"
　　Maryexplainedherintentioninthematterveryexplicitly。Hervoicegrewboastful。
　　"Ourkindofworkpayswellwhenyouknowhow。Lookatus。"
　　Aggiewelcomedtheopportunityforspeech，toolongdelayed。
　　"HatsfromJoseph's，gownsfromLucile's，andcrackedicefromTiffany's。Butitain'tladyliketowearit，"sheconcludedwithareproachfulglanceathermentor。
　　Marydisregardedthefrivolousinterruption，andwentonspeakingtothegirl，andnowtherewassomethingpleasantlycajolinginhermanner。
　　"SupposeIshouldstakeyouforthepresent，andputyouinwithagoodcrowd。Allyouwouldhavetodowouldbetoansweradvertisementsforservantgirls。Iwillseethatyouhavethebestofreferences。Then，whenyougetinwiththerightpeople，youwillopenthefrontdoorsomenightandletinthegang。Ofcourse，youwillmakeaget-awaywhentheydo，andgetyourbitaswell。"
　　Thereflashedstillanotheroftheswift，slyglances，andthelipsofthegirlpartedasifshewouldspeak。Butshedidnot；
　　only，herheadsaggedevenloweronherbreast，andtheshrunkenformgrewyetmoreshrunken。Mary，watchingclosely，sawthesesigns，andinthesameinstantachangecameoverher。Wherebeforetherehadbeenanunderlyingsuggestionofhardness，therewasnowawomanlywarmthofgenuinesympathy。
　　"Itdoesn'tsuityou？"shesaid，verysoftly。"Good!Iwasinhopesitwouldn't。So，here'sanotherplan。"Hervoicehadbecomeverywinning。"SupposeyoucouldgoWest——someplacewhereyouwouldhaveafairchance，withmoneyenoughsoyoucouldlivelikeahumanbeingtillyougotastart？"
　　Therecameatensingoftherelaxedform，andtheheadliftedalittlesothatthegirlcouldlookatherquestioner。And，thistime，theglance，thoughofthebriefest，waslessfurtive。
　　"Iwillgiveyouthatchance，"Marysaidsimply，"ifyoureallywantit。"
　　Thatspeechwaslikeacurrentofstrengthtothewretchedgirl。
　　Shesatsuddenlyerect，andherwordscameeagerly。
　　"Oh，Ido!"Andnowherhungrygazeremainedfastonthefaceofthewomanwhoofferedhersalvation。
　　Marysprangupandmovedasteptowardthegirlwhocontinuedtostareather，fascinated。Shewasnowallwholesome。Thememoryofherownwrongssurgedinherduringthismomentonlytomakehermoreappreciativeoftheblessednessofseemlylife。Shewasmovedtoadivinecompassionoverthiswaifforwhomshemightproveabeneficentprovidence。Therewasprofoundconvictionintheemphasiswithwhichshespokeherwarning。
　　"ThenIhavejustonethingtosaytoyoufirst。Ifyouaregoingtolivestraight，startstraight，andthengothroughwithit。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？"
　　"Youmean，keepstraightallthetime？"Thegirlspokewithaforcedrawnfromtheother'sstrength。
　　"Imeanmorethanthat，"Marywentonearnestly。"Imean，forgetthatyouwereeverinprison。Idon'tknowwhatyouhavedone——I
　　don'tthinkIcare。Butwhateveritwas，youhavepaidforit——aprettybigprice，too。"Intotheselastwordstherecreptthepathosofonewhoknew。Thesympathyofitstirredthelistenertofearfulmemories。
　　"Ihave，Ihave!"Thethinvoicebroke，wailing。
　　"Well，then，"Marywenton，"justbeginalloveragain，andbesureyoustandupforyourrights。Don'tletthemmakeyoupayasecondtime。Gowherenooneknowsyou，anddon'ttellthefirstpeoplewhoarekindtoyouthatyouhavebeencrooked。Iftheythinkyouarestraight，why，beit。Thennobodywillhaveanyrighttocomplain。"Hertonegrewsuddenlypleading。"Willyoupromisemethis？"
　　"Yes，Ipromise，"cametheanswer，verygravely，quickenedwithhope。
　　"Good!"Maryexclaimed，withasmileofapproval。"Waitaminute，"sheadded，andlefttheroom。
　　"Huh!Prettysoftforsomepeople，"AggieremarkedtoGarson，withasniff。Shefeltnoalarmlestshewoundthesensibilitiesofthegirl。Sheherselfhadneverletdelicacyinterferebetweenherselfandmoney。Itwasreallystrangerthattheforger，whopossessedamoresympatheticnature，didnotscrupletospeakanassentopenly。Somehow，hefeltaninexplicableprejudiceagainstthisabjectrecipientofMary'sbounty，thoughnotfortheworldwouldhehavecheckedthegenerousimpulseonthepartofthewomanhesorevered。Itwashisinstinctonherbehalfthatmadehimnowvaguelyuneasy，asifhesensedsomemaligninfluenceagainsthertherepresentwiththem。
　　Maryreturnedsoon。Inherhandshecarriedarollofbills。
　　Shewenttothegirlandheldoutthemoney。Hervoicewasbusiness-likenow，butverykind。
　　"Takethis。ItwillpayyourfareWest，andkeepyouquiteawhileifyouarecareful。"