Thegeneralsmiledgenially。``IthinkImaysaywithoutconceitthatyouwilllikemeasyouknowmebetter。Ihavenobadhabits——I’vetoomuchregardformyhealthtoover-indulgeorrunloose。InmyboyhooddaysImayhaveputinratheraheavysowingofwildoats’’——thegenerallaughed。Mildredconjuredupthewintriestandfaintestofechoingsmiles——``butthat’sallpast，’’hewenton，``andthere’snothingthatcouldriseuptointerferewithourhappiness。Youarefondofchildren？’’
　　Apause，thenMildredsaidquiteevenly，``Yes。’’
　　``Excellent，’’saidthegeneral。``I’llexpectyouandyourmotherandfathertodinnerSundaynight。Isthatsatisfactory？’’
　　``Yes，’’saidMildred。
　　Alongishpause。Thenthegeneral：``Youseemtobealittle——afraidofme。Idon’tknowwhyitisthatpeoplearealwaysthatwaywithme。’’Ahalt，togivehertheopportunitytosaytheobviousflatteringthing。
　　Mildredsaidnothing，gavenosign。Hewenton：``Itwillwearawayasweknoweachotherbetter。Iamasimple，plainman——kindandgenerousinmyinstincts。
　　OfcourseIamdignified，andIdonotlikefamiliarity。
　　ButIdonotmeantoinspirefearandawe。’’
　　Astilllongerpause。``Well，everythingissettled，’’
　　saidthegeneral。``Weunderstandeachotherclearly？——
　　notanengagement，nothingbindingoneitherside——simplya——a——anoptionwithoutforfeit。’’Andhelaughed——hislaughwasaghoulishsound，notloudbutexplosiveandaninstantcheckupondemonstrationofmirthfromanyoneelse。
　　``Iunderstand，’’saidMildredwithaglancetowardthedoorthroughwhichPresburyandhiswifehaddisappeared。
　　``Now，we’lljointheothers，andI’llshowyouthehouse’’——againthelaugh——``whatmaybeyourfuturehome——oneofthem。’’
　　Thefourweresoonstarteduponwhatwasforthreeofthemawearifuljourneydespitetheelevatorthatsparedthemtheascentsofthestairways。Thehousewasanexaggeratedreproductionofalltheestablishmentsoftherichwhoconfuseexpenditurewithluxuryandcomfort。BillSiddallhadbought``thebestofeverything’’。thatis，thethingsintowhichthepurveyorsofcostlyfurnishingshaveputthemostexcusesforcharging。Oftaste，ofcomfort，ofdiscrimination，therewerefewtracesandtheseobviouslyaccidental。
　　``Ipickedoutthemenacknowledgedtobethebestintheirdifferentlines，’’saidthegeneral，``andIgavethemcarteblanche。’’
　　``Iseethatataglance，’’saidPresbury。``You’vedonethegrandthingonthegrandestpossiblescale。’’
　　``I’velookedintothefinestofthefamousplacesontheotherside，’’saidthegeneral。``AllIcansayis，I’vehadnoregrets。’’
　　``Ishouldsaynot，’’criedMrs。Presbury。
　　Withanaffectationofmodesthesitation——toshowthathewasagentlemanwithagentleman’sfineappreciationofthedueofmaidenmodesty——Siddallpausedattheouterdoorofhisownapartments。ButatonesentenceofurgingfromMrs。Presburyheopenedthedoorandusheredthemin。Andsoonhewasshowingthemeverything——hisCarraramarblebathroomandbathing-pool，hisbedthathadbeenusedbyseveralFrenchkings，hisdressing-roomwithitsappliancesofgoldandplatinumandpreciousstones，hisclothing。
　　Theyhadtoinspectaroomfullofsuits，hugechiffonierscrowdedwithshirtsandtiesandunderclothes。
　　Heexhibitedsilkdressing-robesandpajamas，pointedoutthemarksofthefashionableLondonandParismakers，themonograms，theliningsofermineandsable。
　　``I’mveryparticularabouteverythingthattouchesme，’’explainedhe。``Itseemstomeagentlemancan’tbetooparticular。’’WithameaningglanceatMildred，``AndI’dfeelthesamewayaboutmywife。’’
　　``Youhearthat，Mildred？’’saidPresbury，withanastylittlelaugh。Hehadbeenrelievingthetediumofthissight-seeingtourbyobserving——andfromtimetotimeaggravating——Mildred’ssufferings。
　　Thegeneralreleasedhismirth-stranglinggoatlaugh。
　　Mrs。Presburyechoeditwithagaleofratherwildhysterics。SowellpleasedwasthegeneralwiththeexcursionandsofardidhefeeladvancedtowardintimacythatonthewaydownthemajesticmarblestairwayheventuredtogiveMildred’sarmagentle，playfulsqueeze。Andatthepartinghekissedherhand。Presburyhadchangedhismindaboutreturningtothecountry。OnthewaytothehotelhegirdedatMildred，reviewingallthatthelittlegeneralhadsaidanddone，andsneering，jeeringatit。Mildredmadenotasingleretortuntiltheywereupstairsinthehotel。AtthedoortoherroomshesaidtoPresbury——saiditinaquiet，cold，terribleway：
　　``Ifyoureallywantmetogothroughwiththisthing，youwillstopinsultinghimandme。Ifyoudoitagain，I’llgiveup——andgoonthestreetsbeforeI’llmarryhim。’’
　　Presburyshruggedhisshouldersandwentontotheotherroom。Buthedidnotbeginagainthenextday，andfromthattimeforthavoidedreferencetothegeneral。Infact，therewasanastonishingchangeinhiswholedemeanor。Heceasedtobaithiswife，becamepolite，evenaffable。Ifhehadconductedhimselfthusfromtheoutset，hewouldhavegotfarlesscredit，wouldhavemadefarlessprogresstowardwinningthelikingofhiswife，andofherdaughter，thanhedidinabrieftwoweeksofchangefrompettyandmalignanttyranttogood-natured，interestinglytalkativeoldgentleman。
　　Afterthemannerofhumannature，Mildredandhermother，intheirrelief，intheirpleasurethroughthisamazingsuddenandwhollyunexpectedgeniality，notmerelyforgavebutforgotalltheyhadsufferedathishands。Mildredwasnotwithoutasuspicionofthetruththatthischange，inauguratedinhisowngoodtime，wasfreshevidenceofhiscontemptforbothofthem——ofhisfeelingthathecouldeasilymakereparationwithalittlekindnessanddecencyandputhimselfinthewayofgettinganypossiblebenefitsfromtherichalliance。Butthoughshepracticallyknewwhatwasgoingoninhismind，shecouldnotpreventherselffromsofteningtowardhim。
　　Nowfollowedasuccessionofdinners，oftheater-andopera-goings，ofweek-endsatthegeneral’snewcountrypalaceinthefashionableregionofLongIsland。
　　Allthesefestivitieswereofthesameformalandtediouscharacter。Atallthegeneralwasthecentralsunwiththeothersdimanddraggledsatellites，hardlymoreimportantthantheouterrimofsatelliteservants。Hedidmostofthetalking。hewasthesoletopicofconversation。forwhenhewasnottalkingabouthimselfhewishedtobehearingabouthimself。IfMildredhadnotbeenseeingmoreandmoreplainlythatotherandrealpersonalityofhis，hercontemptforhimandforherselfwouldhavegrownbeyondcontrol。But，withhimorawayfromhim，ateveryinstanttherewasthesenseofthatotherrealWilliamSiddall——ashadowymenacefullofterror。Shedreamedofit——wasstartledfromsleepbyvisionsofamonstrousandmightydistortionofthelittlegeneral’sgrotesqueexterior。``IshallmarryhimifIcan，’’shesaidtoherself。``But——canI？’’Andshefearedandhopedthatshecouldnot，thatcouragewouldfailher，orwouldcometoherrescue，whicheveritwas，andthatshewouldrefusehim。Asidefromthesenseofherbodythatcannotbutbewithanywomanwhoisbeautiful，shehadnevertheretoforebeenespeciallyphysicalinthought。Thatsideoflifehadremainedvague，asshehadneverindulgedinorevenbeenstronglytemptedwiththethingsthatrouseitfromitsvirginalsleep。
　　Butnowshethoughtonlyofherbody，becausethatitwas，andthatalone，thathaddrawnthisprospectivepurchaser，andhiseyesneverletherforgetit。Shefellintothehabitoflookingatherselfintheglass——
　　atherface，athershoulders，atherwholeperson，notinvanitybutinakindofwonderoraversion。Andinthevisions，boththewakingandthesleeping，shereachedtheclimaxofhorrorwhenthemonstertouchedher——withclammy，creepyfingers，withmunchinglips，withthesharpendsofthemustacheorimperial。
　　SaidMrs。Presburytoherhusband，``I’mafraidthegeneralwillbeirritatedbyMildred’sunresponsiveness。’’
　　``Don’tworry，’’repliedPresbury。``He’ssocrazyabouthimselfthatheimaginesthewholeworldisinthesamestate。’’
　　``Isn’titstrangethathedoesn’tgiveherpresents？
　　Neveranythingbutcandyandflowers。’’
　　``Andheneverwill，’’saidPresbury。
　　``Notuntilthey’remarried，Isuppose。’’
　　Presburywassilent。
　　``Ican’thelpthinkingthatifMillyweretorouseherselfandshowsome——someliking——oratleastinterest，it’dbewiser。’’
　　``She’stakingthebestpossiblecourse，’’saidPresbury。``Unconsciouslytobothofthem，she’sleadinghimon。Hethinksthat’sthewayaladyshouldact——
　　restrained，refined。’’
　　Mildred’sattitudewassimpleinertia。Themostpositiveeffortshemadewasavoidingsayingordoinganythingtodispleasehim——nodifficultmatter，asshewassilentandalmostlifelesswhenhewasnear。Withoutanyencouragementfromherhegraduallygotadeeprespectforher——whichmeantthathebecameconvincedofhercoldnessandexclusiveness，ofherabsolutetrustworthiness。Presburywasmoreprofoundlyrightthanheknew。Thegirlpursuedtheonlycoursethatmadepossiblethesuccessshelongedfor，yetdreadedandloathed。ForattheoutsetSiddallhadnotbeennearlysostronglyinearnestinhismatrimonialprojectashehadprofessedandhadbelievedhimself。Hewishedtomarry，wishedtoaddtohispossessionstheadmirableshow-pieceandexhibitionopportunityaffordedbytherightsortofwife。butinthebottomofhishearthefeltthatsuchawomanashedreamedofdidnotexistinallthefoolish，fickle，andshallowfemalesex。Thisgirl——socold，soproud，beautifulyetnoteagertodisplayhercharmsortohavethempraised——shewastherarebirdhesought。
　　Inamonthheaskedhertomarryhim。thatis，hesaid：``Mydear，IfindthatIamreadytogothelimit——ifyouare。’’Andsheassented。Heputhisarmaroundherandkissedhercheek——andwasdelightedtodiscoverthatthealluringembracemadenoimpressionupontheiceofher``purityandladylikedignity。’’Uptotheverylastmomentoftheformalcourtshipheheldhimselfreadytowithdrawshouldsherevealtohiswatchfulnesstheslightestsignofhavingany``unladylike’’tendenciesorfeelings。Sherevealednosuchsign，butremained``ladylike’’。andcertainly，sothegeneralreasoned，awomanwhocouldthusresisthim，eveninthelicenseoftheformalengagement，wouldresistanybody。
　　Assoonastheengagementwasformallyconcluded，thegeneralhurriedonthepreparationsforthewedding。
　　HeopenedaccountsathalfadozenshopsinNewYork——dressmakers，milliners，dealersinfineandfashionableclothingofeverykind——andgavethemorderstoexecutewhatevercommandsMissGowerorhermother——forHER——mightgivethem。Whenhetoldherofthismunificenceandmagnificenceandpausedfortheoutburstofgratitude，helistenedinvain。
　　Mildredcoloredtotherootsofherhairandwassilent，wasseekingthecouragetorefuse。
　　``Iknowthatyouandyourpeoplecan’taffordtodothethingasthingsrelatedtomemustbedone，’’hewentontosay。``SoIdecidedtojuststartinalittleearlyatwhatI’vegottodoanyhow。NotthatIblameyouforyournothavingmoney，mydear。Onthecontrary，that’soneofyourmeritswithme。Iwouldn’tmarryawomanwithmoney。Itputsthefamilylifeonawrongbasis。’’
　　``Ihadplannedaquietwedding，’’saidMildred。
　　``I’dmuchpreferit。’’
　　``Nowyoucanbefrankwithme，mydear，’’saidthegeneral。``Iknowyouladies——howcheatedyoufeelifyouaren’tmarriedwithallthefrillsandfixings。
　　Sothat’sthewayitshallbedone。’’
　　``Really，’’protestedMildred，``I’mabsolutelyfrank。
　　Iwishittobequitequiet——inourdrawing-room，withnoguests。’’
　　Siddallsmiled，genialandtolerant。``Don’targuewithme，mydear。Iknowwhatyouwant，andI’llseethatyougetit。Goaheadwiththeseshop-peopleI’veputatyourdisposal——andgoasfarasyoulike。
　　Thereisn’tanything——ANYTHING——inthewayofclothesthatyoucan’thave——thatyoumustn’thave。
　　Mrs。GeneralSiddallisgoingtobethebest-dressedwomanintheworld——assheistheprettiest。Ihaven’topenedanaccountforyouwithTiffany’soranyofthosepeople。I’lllookoutforthatpartofthebusiness，myself。’’
　　``Idon’tcareforjewelry，’’saidMildred。
　　``Naturallynotforthekindthat’sbeenwithinyourmeansheretofore，’’repliedhe。``butyou’llopenyoureyeswhenyouseeMYjewelryforMYwife。Allingoodtime，mydear。Youandyourmothermuststartrightinwiththeshopping。and，aweekorsobeforethewedding，I’llsendmypeopledowntotransformthehouse。Imaybewrong，butIratherthinkthattheSiddallweddingwillcausesometalk。’’
　　Hewasnotwrong。Throughhisconfidentialsecretary，Hardingthethorough，thenewspaperpresswasinducedtotakeaninterestintheincredibleextravaganceSiddallwasperpetratinginarrangingforafittingweddingforGeneralWilliamSiddall。FormanydaysbeforetheceremonythereweredailycolumnsabouthimandhisromanticcareerandhisromanticwooingoftheNewJerseygirlofexcellentfamilyandsocialpositionbutofcomparativelymodestmeans。
　　Theshopkeepersgaveinterviewsonthetrousseau。Thedecoratorsandcaterersdetailedthesplendorsandthecostlinessofthepreparationsofwhichtheyhadcharge。
　　FrommorninguntildarkacrowdhungroundthehouseatHangingRock，andontheweddingdaythestreetsleadingtoitwereblocked——chieflywithpeoplecomefromadistance，manyofthemfromNewYork。
　　AttheoutsetallthisnoisewasdeeplydistastefultoMildred，butafterafewdayssherecoveredhernormalpointofview，forgotthekindofmanshewasmarry-
　　ingintheexcitementandexultationoverhersuddensplendorandfame。Sostronglydidthedelusionpresentlybecome，thatshewaslookingatthelittlegeneralwithanythingbutunfavorableeyes。Heseemedtoheraquaint，fascinating，benevolentnecromancer，havingmiraculouspowerswhichhewasexercisinginherbehalf。
　　Sheevenreproachedherselfwithingratitudeinnotbeingwildlyinlovewithhim。Wouldnotanyothergirl，inherplace，havefallenoverearsinlovewiththismarvelousman？
　　However，whileshecouldnotquiteconvinceherselfthatsheloved，shebecameconvincedwithouteffortthatshewashappy，thatshewasgoingtobestillhappier。
　　Theexcitementwroughtherintoastateofexaltationandsweptherthroughtheweddingceremonyandthegoingawayasradiantabrideasamanwouldcaretohave。
　　Thereismuchtobesaidagainstthenoisy，showywedding。Certainlylovehasrarelybeenknowntodegradehimselftothepointofattendinganysuch。Butthereissomethingtobesaidforthatsortofmarriedstart——forinstance，whereloveisneitherinvitednordesired，aneffortmustbemadetocoverthepainfulvacancyhisabsencealwayscauses。
　　Thelittlegeneral’sinsistenceona``realwedding’’
　　wasmosthappyforhim。Itprobablygothimhisbride。
　　III
　　THEintoxicationofthatweddingheldonlongenoughandstronglyenoughtosoftenandbluntthedisillusionmentsofthefirstfewdaysofthehoneymoon。Intheprospectthatperiodhadseemed，eventoMildred’sratherunsophisticatedimagination，appallingbeyondherpowertoendure。Inthefact——thanksinlargeparttothatintoxication——itwascertainlynotunendurable。Ahumanbeing，evenaninnocentyounggirl，canusuallybearupunderanyexperiencetowhichahumanbeingcanbesubjected。Thegeneralinpajamas——
　　ofthefinestsilkandofpigeon’s-eggbluewithavastgorgeousmonogramonthepocket——wasmoregrotesque，ratherthanmorerepellent，thanthegeneralinmorningoreveningattire。Alsohe——thatis，hisexpertstaffofprovidersofluxury——hadarrangedforthebrideaseriesofthemostravishingsensationsinwhiskingher，liketheheroineofanArabianNight’stale，fromstraitenedcircumstancestotheveryparadiseofluxury。
　　Thegeneral’sideasonthesubjectofwomanwereoldfashioned，ofthehard-shellvariety。Womanwasmadeforluxury，andluxurywasmadeforwoman。Hiswomanmustbethemostdivinelyeasefuloftheluxurious。
　　Atalltimesshemustbefitandreadyforanyandeverysybariticideathatmightenterherhusband’shead——andotherpurposeshehadnone。Whenshewasnotdirectlyengagedinministeringtohisjoyshemustbebusypreparingherselfforhisnextcalluponher。Awomanwasaluxury，wastheluxuryofluxuries，musthaveandmustusetotheiruttermostallcapacitiesforgratifyinghissensesandhisvanity。
　　Alonewithhim，shemustmakehimconstantlyfeelhowrichandrareandexpensiveaprizehehadcaptured。
　　Whenotherswereabout，shemustbeconstantlymakingthemenvyandadmirehimforhavingexclusiverightsinsuchwonderfulpreserves。Allthiswithaninflexibledevotiontotheloftiestidealsofchastity。
　　Butthefirstrealizationsofherhusband’snotionsastowomenwerealtogetherpleasant。AssheenteredtheautomobileinwhichtheywenttotheprivatecarinthespecialtrainthattookthemtoNewYorkandthesteamer——assheenteredthatnewandprodigallyluxuriousautomobile，shehadafirst，keensenseofherchangedposition。Thentherewasthesuperbprivatecar——hercar，sinceshewashiswife——andtherewasthebeautifulsuiteinthemagnificentsteamer。Andateveryinstantmenialsthrustingattentionsuponher，addressingherasifshewereaqueen，revealingintheirnervoustonesandanxiouseyestheireagernesstoplease，theirfearofdispleasing。Andonthesteamer，fromNewYorktoCherbourg，shewasneverpermittedtolosesightofthematerialsplendorsthatwerenowhers。
　　Alltheservants，allthepassengers，remindedherbytheirlooks，theirtones。AtParis，inthehotel，intherestaurants，intheshops——especiallyintheshops——
　　thosesnobbishinstinctsthatarelatentinthesanestandthewisestofuswerefedandfattenedandpampereduntilherheadwasquiteturned。Andthegeneralbegantobuyjewelsforher。Suchjewels——
　　ropesofdiamondsandpearlsandemeralds，ringssuchasshehadneverdreamedexisted！ThoseshoppingexcursionsoftheirsintheRuedelaPaixwouldmakesuchataleasyourordinarysimplecitizen，ignorantoftheworld’sresourcesinluxuryandthereforeincredulousaboutthem，wouldreadwithalaughattheextravaganceoftheteller。
　　Beforetheintoxicationoftheweddinghadwornawayitwasre-enforcedbytheintoxicationofthehoney-
　　moon——notanintoxicationoflove’sproviding，butoneexceedingpotentinitsinfluenceuponourweakhumanbrainsandhearts，onefromwhichthestrongestofus，insteadofsneeringatpoorMildred，wouldbetterbeprayingtobedelivered。
　　Athermarriageshehadafewhundreddollarsleftofherpatrimony——threehundredandfiftyandodd，tobemoreexact。Shespentalittlemoneyofherownhereandthere——intips，inbuyingpresentsforhermother，inpickinguptriflesforherowntoilet。Thedaycamewhenshelookedinherpurseandfoundtwoone-francpieces，afifty-francnote，andafewcoppers。
　　Andsuddenlyshesatbackandstared，hermouthopenlikeheralmostemptygoldbag，whichthegeneralhadboughtherontheirfirstdayintheRuedelaPaix。
　　Abouttendollarsinalltheworld，andthegeneralhadforgottentospeak——ortomakeanyarrangement，atleastanyarrangementofwhichshewasaware——aboutafurthersupplyofmoney。
　　Theyhadbeenmarriednearlyamonth。Heknewthatshewaspoor。Whyhadn’thesaidsomethingor，betterstill，DONEsomething？Doubtlesshehadsimplyforgotten。Butsincehehadforgottenforamonth，mighthenotcontinuetoforget？True，hehadhimselfbeenpooratonetimeinhislife，verypoor，andthatforalongtime。Butithadbeensomanyyearsagothathehadprobablylostallsenseofthemeaningofpoverty。Shefrownedatthisevidenceofhislackofthefinersensibilities——bynomeansthefirsttimethatlackhadbeendisagreeablythrustuponher。Soonshewouldbewithoutmoney——andshemusthavemoney——notmuch，asalltheseriousexpenseswerelookedafterbythegeneral，butstillalittlemoney。Howcouldshegetit？Howcouldsheremindhimofhisneglectwithoutseemingtobeindelicate？Itwasadifficultproblem。Sheworkedatitmoreandmorecontinuously，andirritably，andnervously，asthedayswentbyandherfifty-twofrancsdwindledtofive。
　　Shelayawake，planninglongandelaborateconversationsthatwouldimperceptiblyleadhimuptowherehemustseewhatsheneededwithoutseeingthathehadbeenled。Shecarriedouttheseingeniousconversations。
　　Sheledhimalong，hedocilelyandunsuspectinglyfollowing。Shebroughthimuptowhereitseemedtoherimpossibleforanyhumanbeingendowedwiththeordinaryfacultiestofailtoseewhatwassoplainlyinview。Allinvain。GeneralWilliamSiddallgazedplacidly——andsawnothing。
　　Severaldaysofthesefailures，andwithherfundsreducedtoafifty-centimepieceandatwo-souscoppershemadeafrontalattack。Whentheywentforthfortheday’sshoppingshelefthergoldbagbehind。Afteranhourorsoshesaid：
　　``I’vegottogototheGalleriesLafayetteforsomelittlethings。Ishan’taskyoutosacrificeyourself。I
　　knowyouhatethosestuffy，smellybigshops。’’
　　``Verywell，’’saidhe。``I’llusethetimeinacallonmybankers。’’
　　Astheywereabouttoseparate，shetakingthemotorandhewalking，shemadeafaceofcharmingdismayandsaid：``Howprovoking！I’veleftmybagatthehotel。’’
　　Insteadoftheexpectedpromptofferofmoneyhesaid，``It’llonlytakeyouaminuteorsotodrivethere。’’
　　``Butit’soutoftheway，’’shereplied。``I’llneedonlyahundredfrancsorso。’’
　　Saidhe：``I’veanaccountattheBonMarche。Gothereandhavethethingscharged。It’smuchthebestbigshopinParis。’’
　　``Verywell，’’wasallshecouldtrustherselftosay。
　　Sheconcealedherangerbeneathacarelesssmileanddroveaway。Howdensehewas！Couldanythingbemoreexasperating——ormoredisagreeable？WhatSHOULDshedo？Thesituationwasintolerable。yethowcoulditbeended，exceptbyahumiliatingdirectrequestformoney？Shewonderedhowyoungwiveshabituallydealtwiththisproblem，whentheyhappenedtomarryhusbandssonegligent，nottosayunderbred，astocausethemtheawkwardnessandtheshame。Therefollowedseveraldaysduringwhichthemoneyideawasanobsession，naggingandgrinningathereveryin-
　　stant。Thesightofmoneygaveherapeculiaritchingsensation。Whenthelittlegeneralpaidforanything——alwaysdrawingoutagreatsheafofbanknotesindoingit——sheflushedhotandcold，herglancefellguiltilyandsoughtthemoneyfurtively。Atlastherdesperationgavebirthtoaninspiration。
　　Aboutherandthegeneral，or，rather，aboutthegeneral，revolvedtheusualrichman’ssmallarmyofsatellitesofvariousdegrees——secretaries，butlers，footmen，valets，otherservantsmaleandfemale，someofthemsupposedtobedevotedentirelytoherservice，butallinfactlookingevertothelittlegeneral。Themembersofthiscompany，regardlessofdifferencesofrankandpay，werebandedtogetherinasortofdemocraticfellowship，talkingfreelywithoneanother，ontermsofperfectequality。Sheherselfhad，curiously，gottenonexcellenttermswiththismotleyfraternityandfoundnosmallrelieffromthestrainofthegeneral’sformaldignityintalkingwiththemwithafreedomandeaseshehadneverbeforefeltinthesocietyofunderlings。
　　ThemostconspicuousandmostagreeablefigureinthiscompanywasHarding，thegeneral’sfactotum。WhynotlaythecasebeforeHarding？Hewasnotablysensible，andsympathetic——anddiscreet。
　　Thefollowingdayshedidso。Saidshe，blushingfuriously：``Mr。Harding，Ifindmyselfinaveryembarrassingposition。Iwonderifyoucanhelpme？’’
　　Harding，ayoungmanandofoneofthebestblondtypes，said：``NodoubtIcan——andI’llbegladto。’’
　　``Thefactis’’——Hervoicewastremblingwithnervousness。Sheopenedthegoldbag，tookoutthelittlesilverpiecesandthebigcopperpiece，extendedherpinkpalmwiththemuponit——``there’sallI’vegotleftofthemoneyIbroughtwithme。’’
　　Hardinggazedattheexhibittranquilly。Hewaschieflyremarkableforhisperfectself-possession。Saidhe：``Doyouwishmetocashacheckforyou？’’
　　Thestupidityofmen！Tearsofvexationgatheredinhereyes。Whenshecouldspeakshefaltered：
　　``No。’’
　　Hewaslookingathernow——agrave，kindglance。
　　Shesomehowfeltencouragedandheartened。Shewenton：``Iwashoping——that——thatthegen——
　　thatmyhusbandhadsaidsomethingtoyouandthatyouperhapshadnotthoughttosayanythingtome。’’
　　Theirglancesmet，hismovinglysympatheticandunderstanding，herspiteouslyforlorn——thelookofalovelygirl，strandedandfriendlessinafarstrangeland。Presentlyhesaidgently：
　　``Yes，hetoldmetosaysomethingtoyou——ifyoushouldspeaktomeaboutthismatter。’’Histonecausedinherheartahorriblestillnessofsuspense。Hewenton：``Hesaid——Igiveyouhisexactwords：
　　`Ifmywifeshouldaskyouformoney，tellhermyideasonthesubject。’’’
　　Apause。Shestartedup，crimson，herglancedartingnervouslythiswayandthattoavoidhis。``Nevermind。Really，it’sofnoimportance。Thankyou——
　　I’llgetonverywell——I’msorrytohavetroubledyou——’’
　　``Pardonme，Mrs。Siddall，’’heinterposed，``butI
　　thinkyou’dbestletmefinish。’’
　　Shestartedtoprotest，shetriedtomovetowardthedoor。Herstrengthfailedher，shesatdown，waited，nervouslyclaspingandunclaspingthecostly，jewel-
　　embroideredbag。
　　``Hehasexplainedtome，manytimes，’’continuedHarding，``thathebelieveswomendonotunderstandthevalueofmoneyandoughtnottobetrustedwithit。
　　Heproposestoprovideeverythingforyou，everycomfortandluxury——Iamusinghisownlanguage，Mrs。
　　Siddall——andhehasopenaccountsattheprincipalshopsineverycitywhereyouwillgo——NewYork，Washington，Chicago，Denver，Paris，London，Rome。
　　Hesaysyouareatlibertytogetpracticallyanythingyoupleaseattheseshops，andhewillpaythebills。
　　Hethusentirelysparesyouthenecessityofeverspendinganymoney。Shouldyouseeanythingyouwishatsomeshopwherehehasnoaccount，youcanhaveitsentcollect，andIormyassistant，Mr。Drawl，willsettleforit。Allheasksisthatyouusediscretioninthisfreedom。Hesaysitwouldbeextremelypainfultohimtohavetowithdrawit。’’
　　Hardinghadpronouncedthislongspeechinadrymonotonousvoice，likeonereadingmechanicallyfromadullbook。AsMildredlistened，herthoughtsbegantowhirlaboutthecentralideauntilshefellintoakindofstupor。Whenhefinishedshewasstaringvacantlyatthebaginherlap——thebagshewasholdingopenwide。
　　Hardingcontinued：``Healsoinstructedmetosaysomethingabouthisformer——hisexperiences。ThefirstMrs。Siddallhemarriedwhenhewasveryyoungandpoor。Ashegrewrich，shebecamemadlyextravagant。
　　Andastheyhadstartedonabasisonwhichshehadfreeaccesstohismoneyhecouldnotcheckher。
　　Theresult，finally，wasasuccessionofbitterquarrels，andtheywereabouttodivorcewhenshedied。HemadethesecondMrs。Siddallanallowance，aliberalallowance。Herfolliescompelledhimtowithdrawit。
　　Sheresortedtounderhandedmeanstogetmoneyfromhimwithouthisknowingit。Hedetectedthefraud。
　　Afteraseriesofdisagreeableincidentsshecommittedtheindiscretionwhichcausedhimtodivorceher。Hesaysthattheseexperienceshaveconvincedhimthat——’’
　　``ThesecondMrs。Siddall，’’interruptedMildred，``isshestillalive？’’
　　Hardinghesitated。``Yes，’’hesaidreluctantly。
　　``Isshe——poor？’’askedMildred。
　　``Ishouldprefernotto——’’
　　``Didthegeneralforbidyoutotellme？’’
　　``Onthecontrary，heinstructedme——ButI’drathernottalkaboutit，Mrs。Siddall。’’
　　``Isshepoor？’’repeatedMildred。
　　``Yes。’’
　　``Whatbecameofher？’’
　　Alongpause。ThenHardingsaid：``Shewasapoorgirlwhenthegeneralmarriedher。Afterthedivorceshelivedforawhilewiththeman。Buthehadnothing。Theyseparated。Shetriedvariouskindsofwork——andotherthings。Sinceshelostherlooks——
　　Shewritesfromtimetotime，askingformoney。’’
　　``Whichshenevergets？’’saidMildred。
　　``Whichshenevergets，’’saidHarding。``LatelyshewascashierorheadwaitressinacheaprestaurantinSt。Louis。’’
　　AfteralongsilenceMildredsaid：``Iunderstand。
　　Iunderstand。’’Shedrewalongbreath。``Ishallunderstandbetterastimegoeson，butIunderstandfairlywellnow。’’
　　``Ineednottellyou，Mrs。Siddall，’’saidHardinginhisgentle，tranquilway，``thatthegeneralisthekindestandmostgenerousofmen，buthehashisownmethods——
　　aswhohasnot？’’
　　Mildredhadforgottenthathewasthere——notadifficultmatter，whenhehadinitsperfectionthesecretarialmannerofcompleteself-effacement。Saidshereflectively，likeonepuzzlingoutadifficultproblem：
　　``Hebuysawoman，ashebuysadogorahorse。
　　Hedoesnotgivehisdog，hishorse，pocket-money。
　　Whyshouldhegivehiswomanpocket-money？’’
　　``Willithelpmatters，Mrs。Siddall，togototheotherextremeanddohimagraveinjustice？’’
　　Shedidnothear。Atthepicturepresentedtohermindbyherownthoughtsshegaveashortsatiricallaugh。``Howstupidofmenottohaveunderstoodfromtheoutset，’’saidshe。``Why，I’veoftenheardofthisverything。’’
　　``Itismoreandmorethecustomamongmenoflargeproperty，Ibelieve，’’saidHarding。``Perhaps，Mrs。
　　Siddall，youwouldnotblamethemifyouwereintheirposition。Therichmenwhoarecareless——theyruineverybodyaboutthem，Iassureyou。I’veseenitagainandagain。’’
　　Buttheyoungwifewasabsorbedinherownthoughts。Harding，feelinghermood，didnotinterrupt。
　　Afterawhileshesaid：
　　``Imustaskyousomequestions。Thesejewelsthegeneralhasbeenbuying——’’
　　Hardingmadeamovementofembarrassmentandprotest。Shesmiledironicallyandwenton：
　　``Onemoment，please。EverytimeIwishtowearanyofthemIhavetogotohimtogetthem。HeasksmetoreturnthemwhenIamundressing。Hesaysitissafertokeepeverythinginhisstrongbox。Ihavebeenassumingthatthatwastheonlyreason。Ibegintosuspect——AmIright，Mr。Harding？’’
　　``ReallyIcan’tsay，Mrs。Siddall，’’saidHarding。
　　``Thesearenotmatterstodiscusswithme，ifyouwillpermitmetosayso。’’
　　``Oh，yes，theyare，’’repliedshelaughingly。
　　``Aren’tweallinthesameboat？——allemployesofthegeneral？’’
　　Hardingmadenoreply。
　　Mildredwasbesideherselfwithakindofragethat，becauseoutletwasnecessaryandbecauseravingagainstthelittlegeneralwouldbeabsolutelyfutile，foundoutletinself-mockeryandrecklesssarcasm。
　　``Iunderstandaboutthejewels，too，’’shewenton。
　　``Theyarenotmine。Nothingismine。Everything，includingmyself，belongstohim。IfIgivesatisfactioninthepositionforwhichI’vebeenhiredformyboardandclothes，Imaycontinuetoeatthegeneral’sfoodandsleepinthegeneral’shouseandwearthegeneral’sjewelsanddressesandrideinthegeneral’strapsandbewaitedonbythegeneral’sservants。IfIdon’tlikemyplaceorhedoesn’tlikemywayoffillingit’’——shelaughedmerrily，mockingly——``outIgo——intothestreets——afterthesecondMrs。Siddall。Andthegeneralwillhireanew——’’Shepaused，castaboutforawordinvain，appealedtothesecretary，``Whatwouldyoucallit，Mr。Harding？’’
　　Hardingrose，lookingatherwithaverysoothingtranquillity。``IfIwereyou，Mrs。Siddall，’’saidhe，``Ishouldgetintotheautoandgoforalongdrive——
　　outtotheBois——outtoVersailles——along，longdrive。Ishouldbegonefourorfivehoursatleast，andIshouldlookatthethingfromallsides。Especially，I’dlookatitfromHISstandpoint。’’
　　Mildred，somewhatquieter，butstillmocking，said：
　　``IfIshoulddecidetoquit，wouldmyexpensesbepaidbacktowhereIwasengaged？Ifancynot。’’
　　Hardinglookedgrave。``Ifyouhadhadmoneyenoughtopayyourownexpensesabout，wouldyouhavemarriedhim？’’saidhe。``Isn’thepaying——payingliberally，Mrs。Siddall——forALLhegets？’’
　　Mildred，stung，drewherselfuphaughtily，gavehimalookthatremindedhimwhoshewasandwhohewas。
　　ButHardingwasnotimpressed。
　　``Yousaidamomentago——truly——thatweareallinthesameboat，’’observedhe。``IputthosequestionstoyoubecauseIhonestlywishtohelpyou——becauseIwishyounottoactfoolishly，hastily。’’
　　``Thankyou，Mr。Harding，’’saidMildredcoldly。
　　Andwithaslightnodshewent，angryandashamedthatshehadsounaccountablyopeneduphersecretsoul，bareditsuglywounds，beforeamansheknewsoslightly，amaninapositionbutoneremovefrommenial。However，shetookhisadvice——notastotryingtoviewthematterfromallsides，forshewasconvincedthattherewasonlytheoneside，butastocalmingherselfbyalongdrivealoneinthewoodsandalongquietroads。Whenshereturnedshewasundercontroloncemore。
　　Shefoundthegeneralimpatientlyawaitingher。
　　Manypackageshadcome——fromthejewelers，fromthefurriers，fromashopwhosespecialtywasthethinnestandmostdelicateofhand-madeunderwear。Thegenerallovedtoopenandinspectfineryforher——
　　loveditmorethanhelovedinspectingfineryforhimself，becausefemininefinerywasfarmoreattractivethanmasculine。Towhethispleasuretothekeenestshemustbetheretoadmirewithhim，totryon，toexhibit。Assheenteredthesalonwherethelittlemanwasfussingaboutamongthepackages，theirglancesmet。ShesawthatHardinghadtoldhim——atleastindiscreetoutline——oftheirconversation。Shealsosawthatifshereopenedthesubjectshewouldfindherselfstraightwaywhirledoutuponastormyseaofdangerthatmighteasilyoverwhelmherflimsyboat。Shesilentlyandsullenlydroppedintoherplace。sheministeredtothegeneral’spleasureinpackagesoffinery。
　　Butshedidnotexclaim，oradmire，orrespondinanyway。Thehoneymoonwasover。Herdreamofwifehoodwasdissipated。
　　Sheunderstoodnowthelookshesooftenhadseenonthefacesofrichmen’spoorwivesdrivinginstateinFifthAvenue。Thatnight，assheinspectedherselfintheglasswhilethegeneral’smaidforherbrushedherlongthickhair，shesawthebeginningsofthatlookinherownface。``Idon’tknowjustwhatIam，’’shesaidtoherself。``ButIdoknowwhatIamnot。Iamnotawife。’’
　　Shesentawaythemaid，andsatthereinthedressing-
　　roombeforethemirror，waiting，herglancetravelingaboutandnotingtheprofuseandprodigalluxury。Inthecornerstoodacircularrackloadedwithdressing-
　　gowns——morethanascoreofexquisitecombinationsofsilkandlaceorsilkandchiffon。Itsohappenedthattherewasnowhereinsightasinglearticleofherapparelorforhertoiletthatwasnotboughtwiththegeneral’smoney。No，thereweresomehairpinsthatshehadpaidforherself，andacombwithwidelyseparatedteeththatshehadchancedtoseeinawindowwhenshewasaloneoneday。Anythingelse？
　　Yes，atwo-francboxofpins。Andthatwasall。
　　Everythingelsebelongedtothegeneral。Intheclosets，inthetrunks——allthegeneral’s，partofthetrousseauhehadpaidfor。Notanundergarment。notanoutergarment。notahatorapairofshoes，notawrap，notapairofgloves。All，thegeneral’s。
　　Hewasinthedoorofthedressing-room——thesmallwiryfigureinrose-silkpajamas。Themustacheandimperialwerecarefullywaxedasalways，dayandnight。
　　Onthelittlefeetwerehigh-heeledslippers。Ontheheadwasarose-silkNeapolitannightcapwithgaytassel。
　　Thenightcaphidthebaldspotfromwhichtheloftytoupeehadbeenremoved。Agrotesquelittlefigure，butnotgrotesquetoher。Throughthemaskofthevain，boastfullittlefaceshesawthegeneralwatchingher，asshehadseenhimthatafternoonwhenshecamein——themysteriousandterriblepersonalitythathadmadethevastfortune，thathadriddenruthlesslyoverfriendandfoe，overmanandwomanandchild——tothegoalofitsdesires。
　　``It’slate，mydear？’’saidthelittleman。``Cometobed。’’
　　Sherosetoobey——sheinthegeneral’spurchasesoffilmynightgownunderapale-pinksilkdressing-gown。
　　Hesmiledwiththatcuriousnoiselessmumblingandsmackingofthethinlips。Shesatdownagain。
　　``Don’tkeepmewaiting。It’schilly，’’hesaid，advancingtowardher。
　　``Ishallsleepinhereto-night——onthecouch，’’saidshe。Shewastremblingwithfrightatherownaudacity。
　　Shecouldseeafifty-centimepieceandacopperdancingbeforehereyes。Shefelthorriblyaloneandweak，butshehadnodesiretoretractthewordswithwhichshehadthrowndownthegauntlet。
　　Thelittlegeneralhalted。Themaskdropped。theman，themonster，lookedather。``What’sthematter？’’
　　saidheinanominouslyquietvoice。
　　``Mr。Hardingdeliveredyourmessageto-day，’’saidshe，andhersteadyvoiceastonishedher。``SoIamgoingbackhome。’’
　　Hewaited，lookingsteadilyather。
　　``AfterhetoldmeandIthoughtaboutit，Idecidedtosubmit，butjustnowIsawthatIcouldn’t。Idon’tknowwhatpossessesme。Idon’tknowwhatI’mgoingtodo，orhowI’mgoingtodoit。Butit’salloverbetweenus。’’Shesaidthisrapidly，fluently，inadecisiveway，quiteforeigntohercharacterasshehadthoughtit。
　　``Youarecomingtobed，whereyoubelong，’’saidhequietly。
　　``No，’’repliedshe，pressingherselfagainstherchairasifforcewerebeingusedtodragherfromit。Shecastaboutforsomethingthatwouldmakeyieldingimpossible。``Youare——repulsivetome。’’
　　Helookedatherwithoutchangeofcountenance。
　　Saidhe：``Cometobed。Iaskyouforthelasttime。’’
　　Therewasnoangerinhisvoice，nomenaceeitheropenorcovert。simplyfinality——thelastwordofthemanwhohadmadehimselffearedandsecureinthemining-campswheretheequationofpersonalcourageisstraightwayappliedtoeverysituation。Mildredshivered。Shelongedtoyield，tostammeroutsomeexcuseandobeyhim。Butshecouldnot。norwassheabletorisefromherchair。Shesawinhishardeyesalookofastonishment，ofcuriosityastothisunaccountabledefianceinonewhohadseemeddocile，whohadapparentlynoalternativebutobedience。Hewasnotsoastonishedatherasshewasatherself。``Whatistobecomeofme？’’herterror-strickensoulwascrying。
　　``Imustdoashesays——Imust——yetIcannot！’’
　　Andshelookedathimandsatmotionless。
　　Heturnedaway，movedslowlytowardthedoor，haltedatthethresholdtogivehertime，wasgone。A
　　fitoftremblingseizedher。sheleanedforwardandrestedherarmsuponthedressing-tableorshewouldhavefallenfromthechairtothefloor。Yet，evenasherfearmadehersickandweak，sheknewthatshewouldnotyield。
　　Thecolddrovehertothecouch，tolieunderhalfadozenofthedressing-gownsandpresentlytofallintoasleepofexhaustion。Whensheawokeafterwhatshethoughtwasafewminutesofunconsciousness，theclamoroftrafficintheRuedeRivolistartledher。Shestartedup，glancedattheclockonthechimneypiece。
　　Itwastenminutespastnine！When，byalltherulesgoverningtheactionofthenerves，sheoughttohavepassedawakefulnightshehadoversleptmorethananhour。Indeed，shehadhadthefirstsoundandprolongedsleepthathadcometohersincethehoneymoonbegan。foruntilthenshehadsleptaloneallherlifeandtheneworderhadalmostgivenherchronicinsomnia。
　　Sherangforhermaidandbegantodress。Themaiddidnotcome。Sherangagainandagain。
　　apparentlythebellwasbroken。Shefinisheddressingandwentoutintothehuge，grandlyandgaudilyfurnishedsalon。Hardingwasatacarvedold-goldandlacquerdesk，writing。Assheenteredheroseandbowed。
　　``Won’tyoupleasecalloneoftheservants？’’saidshe。``Iwantmycoffee。Iguessthebellinmyroomisbroken。Mymaiddoesn’tanswer。’’
　　``No，thebellisnotbroken，’’saidHarding。
　　Shelookedathimquestioningly。
　　``Thegeneralhasissuedanorderthatnothingistobedoneinthisapartment，andnothingserved，unlesshepersonallyauthorizesit。’’
　　Mildredpaled，drewherselfupinwhatseemedagestureofhaughtinessbutwasanefforttomusterherstrength。Tosaveherselffromthehumiliationofabreakdownbeforehim，shehastilyretreatedbythewayshehadcome。Afterperhapsaquarterofanhourshereappearedinthesalon。shewasnowdressedforthestreet。Hardinglookedupfromhiswriting，roseandbowedgravely。Saidshe：
　　``Iamgoingoutforawalk。I’llbebackinanhourorso。’’
　　``Onemoment，’’saidHarding，haltingherasshewasopeningthedoorintothepublichall。``Thegeneralhasissuedanorderthatifyougoout，youarenottobeallowedtoreturn。’’
　　Herhandfellfromtheknob。Withflashingeyesshecried，``Butthatisimpossible！’’
　　``Itishisorders，’’saidHarding，inhisusualquietmanner。``Andashepaysthebillshewillbeobeyed。’’
　　Shedebated。Againstherwill，hertremblinghandsoughttheknobagain。Againstherwill，herweakarmbegantodrawthedooropen。Hardingcametowardher，stoodbeforeherandlookeddirectlyintohereyes。
　　Hiseyeshaddreadandentreatyinthem，buthisvoicewasasalwayswhenhesaid：
　　``Youknowhim，Mrs。Siddall。’’
　　``Yes，’’shesaid。
　　``ThereasonhehasgotALLhewanted——whateverhewanted——isthathewillgotoanylength。Everyotherhumanbeing，almost，hasalimit，beyondwhichtheywillnotgo——aphysicalfearoramoralfearorafearofpublicopinion。Butthegeneral——hehasnolimit。’’
　　``Yes，’’shesaid。Anddeathlypaleandalmoststag-
　　geringshedrewopenthedoorandwentoutintothepublichall。
　　``ForGod’ssake，Mrs。Siddall！’’criedHarding，ingreatagitation。``Comeinquickly。Theyarewatching——
　　theywilltellhim！Areyoumad？’’
　　``IthinkImustbe，’’saidshe。``Iamsickwithfear。
　　Icanhardlykeepfromdroppingdownhereinafaint。
　　Yet——’’astrangelook，aminglingofabjectterrorandpassionatedefiance，gaveheranaspectquiteinsane——``Iamgoing。PerhapsI，too，havenolimit。’’
　　Andshewentalongthecorridor，pastagroupofgapingandfrightenedservants，downthestairwayandoutbytheprivateentranceforthegrandapartmentsofthehotelintheRueRaymonddel’Isle。ShecrossedtheRuedeRivoliandenteredtheTuileriesGardens。
　　Itwasonlybracinglycoolinthesunshineofthatwinterday。Sheseatedherselfonachairontheterracetoregainherebbedstrength。Hardlyhadshesatdownwhenthewomancollectorcameandstoodwaitingforthetwosousforthechair。Mildredopenedherbag，foundtwocoins。Shegavethecopperstothewoman。Theother——allthemoneyshehad——wasthefifty-centimepiece。
　　``Butthebag——Icangetagooddealforthat，’’shesaidaloud。
　　``Ibegyourpardon——Ididn’tcatchthat。’’
　　Shecamebacktoasenseofhersurroundings。StanleyBairdwasstandingafewfeetaway，smilingdownather。Hewas，ifpossible，evenmoreattractivelydressedthaninthedayswhenhehoveredabouther，hopingvaguethingsofwhichhewasashamedandtry-
　　ingtogetthecouragetoputdownhissnobbishnessandmarryherbecauseshesoexactlysuitedhim。Hewaswearinganewkindofcollarandtie，strikingyetinexcellentquiettaste。Also，hisfaceandfigurehadfilledoutjustenough——hehadbeentoothinintheformerdays。Buthewasnowentereduponthatperiodofthefearsomefortieswhen，unlessamanamountstosomething，hebeginstolookinsignificant。Hedidnotamounttoanything。hewasthereforepalingandwaningasapersonality。
　　``WasIthinkingaloud？’’saidMildred，asshegavehimherhand。
　　``Yousaidsomethingabout`gettingagooddeal。’’’
　　Heinspectedherwiththefreedomofanoldfriendandwiththethoroughnessofaconnoisseur。WomenwhotookpainswiththemselvesandweresatisfiedwiththeresultslikedStanleyBaird’sknowingandappreciativewayofnotingthebestpointsintheirtoilets。``You’relookingfine，’’declaredhe。``ItmustbeapleasuretothemupintheRuedelaPaixtodressyou。That’smorethancanbesaidfornineoutoftenofthewomenwhogothere。Yes，you’relookingfine——andingrandhealth，too。Why，youlookyoungerthanIeversawyou。Nothinglikemarriagetofreshenagirlup。
　　Well，Isupposewaitingroundforahusbandwhomayormaynotturnupdoeswearawomandown。’’
　　``Italmostkilledme，’’laughedMildred。``Andyouwerelargelyresponsible。’’
　　``I？’’saidBaird。``Youdidn’twantme。Iwastoooldforyou。’’
　　``No，Ididn’twantyou，’’saidMildred。``Butyouspoiledme。Icouldn’tenduretheboysofmyownage。’’
　　StanleywasrememberingthatMildredhadmarriedamanmucholderthanhe。Withsomenotionofacarelesssortoftactinmindhesaid，``Iwasbetwixtandbetween——neitheryoungenoughnoroldenough。’’
　　``You’vemarried，too，sincewemet。Bytheway，thankyouagainforthatcharmingremembrance。
　　Youalwaysdidhavesuchgoodtaste。Butwhydidn’tyoucometothewedding——youandyourwife？’’
　　Helaughed。``Wewerebusybustingup，’’saidhe。
　　``Youhadn’theard？It’sbeeninthepapers。She’sgonebacktoherpeople。Oh，nothingdisgracefuloneitherside。Simplythatweboredeachothertodeath。
　　Shewascrazyabouthorsesanddogs，andthatset。I
　　thinkthestable’stheplaceforhorses——don’tcaretohave’emparadingthroughthehouseallthetime，everyroom，everymeal，sleepingandwaking。Anddogs——
　　theinfernalbrutesalwayshavefleas。Fleasonlytickledher，buttheybiteme——raiseweltsandhills。There’syourhusbandnow，isn’tit？’’
　　BairdwaslookingupatthewindowsoftheContinental，acrossthestreet。Mildred’sglanceslowlyandcarelesslyfollowedhis。Atonewindowstoodthelittlegeneral，gazingabstractedlyoutoverthegardens。AtanotherwindowMildredsawHarding。atathird，hermaid。atafourth，Harding’sassistant，Drawl。atafifth，threeservantsoftheretinue。Exceptthegeneral，allwerelookingather。
　　``You’vemarriedaveryextraordinaryman，’’saidBaird，inacorrecttoneofadmiration。``Oneoftheablestandmostinterestingmenwe’vegot，_I_think。’’
　　``Soyouarefreeagain？’’saidMildred，lookingathimwithaqueer，coldsmile。
　　``Yes，andno，’’repliedStanley。``Ihopetobeentirelyfree。It’shermovenext。I’mexpectingiteveryday。ButI’mthoroughlyrespectable。Won’tyouandthegeneraldinewithme？’’
　　``Thanks，butI’msailingforhometo-morrowornextday。’’
　　``That’sinteresting，’’saidBaird，withenthusiasm。
　　``SoamI。Whatshipdoyougoon？’’
　　``Idon’tknowyet。I’mtodecidethisafternoon，afterlunch。’’Shelaughed。``I’msittingherewaitingforsomeonetoaskmetolunch。I’venothadevencoffeeyet。’’
　　``Lunchwithme！’’criedBaird。``I’llgogetthegeneral——Iknowhimslightly。’’
　　``Ididn’tsayanythingaboutthegeneral，’’saidMildred。
　　Stanleysmiledapologetically。``Itwouldn’tdoforyoutogoaboutwithme——notwhenmymissusislookingforgroundsfordivorce。’’
　　``Whynot？’’saidMildred。``So’smyhusband。’’
　　``Youbustedup，too？Now，that’swhat_I_calljolly。’’Andhecastapuzzledglanceupattheabstractedgeneral。``Isay，Mildred，thisisnoplaceforeitherofus，isit？’’
　　``I’dratherbewherethere’sfood，’’confessedshe。
　　``Youthinkit’sajoke，butIassureyou——Oh，youWEREjoking——aboutYOURbust-up？’’
　　``No，indeed，’’sheassuredhim。``Iwalkedoutawhileago，andIcouldn’tgobackifIwould——andI
　　don’tthinkIwouldifIcould。’’
　　``That’sfoolish。Bettergoback，’’advisedhe。Hewaspreparinghastilytodecampfromsoperilousaneighborhood。``Onemarriageisaboutlikeanother，onceyougetthroughthesurface。I’msureyou’llbebetteroffthan——backwithyourstepfather。’’
　　``I’venointentionofgoingtohishouse，’’shedeclared。
　　``Oh，there’syourbrother。Iforgot。’’
　　``SohadIforgottenhim。I’llnotgothere，either。
　　Infact，I’venotthoughtwhereI’llgo。’’
　　``Youseemtohavedonemightylittlethinkingbeforeyoutookaveryseriousstepforawoman。’’Hewasuneasilyeyingtherigid，abstractedlittlefigureastoryupacrosstheway。
　　``Thosethingsaren’taquestionofthinking，’’saidsheabsently。``Ineverthoughtinmylife——don’tthinkIcouldifItried。ButwhenthetimecameI——
　　Iwalkedout。’’Shecamebacktoherself，laughed。
　　``Idon’tunderstandwhyI’mtellingyouallthis，especiallyasyou’remadwithfrightandwildtogetaway。
　　Well，good-by，Stanley。’’
　　Heliftedhishat。``Good-by。We’llmeetwhenwecandosowithoutmygettingascandalonyou。’’Hewalkedafewpaces，turned，andcameback。``Bytheway，I’msailingontheDeutschland。Ithoughtyou’dliketoknow——sothatyouandIwouldn’tbyanychancecrossonthesameboat。’’
　　``Thanks，’’saidshedryly。
　　``What’sthematter？’’askedhe，arrested，despitehisanxietytobegone，bythesad，scornfullookinhereyes。
　　``Nothing。Why？’’
　　``Youhadsucha——suchaqueerlook。’’
　　``Really？Good-by。’’
　　Infact，shehadthought——hadhopedforthesakeofherlikingforhim——thathehadcomebacktomaketheglaringlyomittedofferofhelpthatshouldhavecomefromanyhumanbeinglearningthatafellowbeingwasintheprecariouspositioninwhichshehadtoldhimshewas。Notthatshewouldhaveacceptedanysuchoffer。Still，shewouldhavelikedtohaveheardthekindlywords。Shesatwatchinghishandsome，gracefulfigure，drapedinthemostartisticallycutoflongdarkovercoats，untilhedisappearedinthecrowdintheRuedeCastiglione。Then，withoutaglanceupattheinterested，nottosayexcitedwindowsofthegeneral’ssplendidandspreadingapartments，shestrolleddownthegardenstowardthePlaceConcorde。
　　InParisthebeautiful，onabrightandbriskdayitisallbutimpossibletodespairwhenonestillhasleftyouthandhealth。Mildredwasnothappy——farfromit。Thefuture，theimmediatefuture，presseditsterrorsuponher。Butinmitigationtherewas，perhapsbornofyouthandinexperience，agiddysenseofrelief。
　　Shehadnotrealizedhowabhorrentthegeneralwas——
　　marriedlifewiththegeneral。Shehadbeenresigningherselftoit，acceptingitastheonlythingpossible，keepingitheavilydrapedwithhervanitiesofwealthandluxury——untilshediscoveredthatthewealthandtheluxurywereinrealitynomorehersthantheywerehermaid’s。Andnowshewasfree！
　　Thatwordfreedidnothaveitsfullmeaningforher。
　　Shehadneverknownwhatrealfreedomwas。womenofthecomfortableclass——andmen，too，forthatmatter——
　　usuallyarebornintothepettyslaveryofconventionsatleast，andknownothingelsetheirwholelivesthrough——neverknowthejoyofthethoughtandtheactofafreemindandafreeheart。Still，shewasreleasedfromabondagethatseemedslavisheventoher，andthereleasegaveherasensationakintothejoyoffreedom。Aheavyhandthatwascrushingherverysoulhadbeenliftedoff——no，FLUNGoff，andbyherself。
　　Thatthought，terrifyingthoughitwas，alsogaveheracertainnewandexaltingself-respect。Afterall，shewasnotaworm。Shemusthavesomewhereinherthegermsofsomethinglesscontemptiblethantheessentialcharacterofsomanyoftheeminentlyrespectablewomensheknew。Shecouldpicturetheminthesituationinwhichshehadfoundherself。Whatwouldtheyhavedone？Why，whateveryinstinctofhereducationimpelledhertodo。whatsomelatentloveoffreedom，someunsuspectedcourageofself-respecthadforbiddenhertodo，hadwithheldherfromdoing。
　　Herthoughtsandthegorgeoussunshineandheryouthandhealthputherinasteadilylesscheerlessmoodasbyaroundaboutwayshesoughttheshopofthejewelerwhosoldthegeneralthegoldbagshehadselected。Theproprietorhimselfwasinthefrontpartoftheshopandreceived``MadamelaGenerale’’withallthehonorsofherhusband’swealth。Shebroughtnoexperienceandnonaturaltradingtalenttotheenterpriseshewasabouttoundertake。soshewentdirectlytothemainpoint。
　　``Thisbag，’’saidshe，layingitupontheglassbetweenthem，``Iboughtithereashorttimeago。’’
　　``Irememberperfectly，madame。Itisthehandsomest，themostartistic，wehavesoldthisyear。’’
　　``Iwishtosellitbacktoyou，’’saidshe。
　　``Youwishtogetsomethingelseandincludeitaspartpayment，madame？’’
　　``No，Iwishtogetthemoneyforit。’’
　　``Ah，butthatisdifficult。Wedonotoftenmakethosearrangements。Second-handarticles——’’
　　``Butthebagisquitenew。Anyhow，itmusthavesomevalue。OfcourseI’dnotexpectthefullprice。’’
　　Thejewelersmiled。``Thefullprice？Ah，madame，weshouldnotthinkofofferingitagainasitis。
　　Weshould——’’
　　``Nomatter，’’interruptedMildred。Theman’sexpression——thenormallypleasantandagreeablecountenanceturnedtorepulsivebycraftandlying——madehereagertobegone。``Whatisthemostyouwillgiveme？’’
　　``Ishallhavetoconsider——’’
　　``I’veonlyafewminutes。Pleasedonotirritateme。’’
　　Themanwasstudyinghercountenancewithadesperatelook。Whywasshe，thebrideofthemonstrouslyrichAmerican，whywasshetryingtosellthebag？Diditmeantheendofherresources？Or，weretherestillhugeorderstobegotfromher？Hisshrewd-
　　ness，trainedbythirtyyearsofdealingwithallkindsofluxurioushumanbeings，wentexploringinvain。Hewasalarmedbyherfrown。Hebeganhesitatingly：
　　``Thejewelsandthegoldareonlyasmallpartofthevalue。Thechiefvalueistheuniquedesign，soelegantyetsosimple。Forthejewelsandthegold，perhapstwothousandfrancs——’’
　　``Thepursewastwelvethousandfrancs，’’interruptedshe。
　　``Perfectly，madame。But——’’
　　``Iamingreathaste。Howmuchwillyougiveme？’’
　　``Themostwouldbefourthousand，Ifear。Ishallcountupmorecarefully，ifmadamewill——’’
　　``No，fourthousandwilldo。’’
　　``Iwillsendthemoneytomadameatherhotel。TheContinental，isitnot？’’
　　``No，Imusthaveitatonce。’’
　　Thejewelerhesitated。Mildred，flushingscarletwithshame——butheluckilythoughtitanger——tookupthebagandmovedtowardthedoor。
　　``Pardon，madame，butcertainly。Doyouwishsomegoldorallnotes？’’
　　``Notes，’’answeredshe。``Fiftyandhundred-francnotes。’’
　　Amomentlatershewasinthestreetwiththenotesinasmallbundleinthebosomofherwrap。Shewenthurriedlyupthestreet。Asshewasabouttoturnthecornerintotheboulevardsheonimpulseglancedback。
　　Anautomobilehadjustdrawnupatthejeweler’sdoorandGeneralSiddall——top-hat，sable-linedovercoat，waxedmustacheandimperial，high-heeledboots，gold-
　　mountedcane——wasdescending。Andsheknewthathehadawakenedtohisoneoversight，andwasonhiswaytorepairit。Butshedidnotknowthatthejeweler——oldandwiseinhumanways——wouldhastilyvanishwiththebagandthatanassistantwouldcomeforwardwithassurancesthatmadamehadnotbeenintheshopandthat，ifsheshouldcomein，nobusinesswouldbenegotiatedwithoutthegeneral’sexpressconsent。Sheallbutfaintedatthenarrownessofherescapeandfledroundintotheboulevard。SheenteredataxiandtoldthemantodrivetoFoyot’srestaurantontheleftbank——wherethegeneralwouldneverthinkoflookingforher。
　　WhenshehadbreakfastedshestrolledintheLuxembourgGardens，inevenbetterhumorwithherselfandwiththeworld。Therewasstillthathorrid-facedfuture，butitwasnotleeringintoherveryface。Itwasnearlyfourthousandfrancsaway——``andifI
　　hadn’tbeensostupid，I’dhavegoteightthousand，I’msure，’’shesaid。Butshewasratherproudofastupidityaboutmoneymatters。Andfourthousandfrancs，eighthundreddollars——thatwasquiteagoodsum。
　　ShehadaninstinctthatthegeneralwoulddosomethingdisagreeableabouttheFrenchandEnglishportsofdepartureforAmerica。ButperhapshewouldnotthinkoftheItalianports。ThatnightshesetoutforGenoa，andthreedayslater，inadifferentdressandwithherhairdoneassheneverworeit，sailedasMissMaryStevensforAmericaonaGermanMediterraneanboat。