KeithwasbesideMildred。Whentheywereunderway，shesaid：
　　``Whydidyoustopme？PerhapsI’llneverhavethecourageagain。’’
　　``Courageforwhat？’’askedhe。
　　``Totakeyouradvice，andbreakoff。’’
　　``MYadvice？’’
　　``Yes，youradvice。’’
　　``Youhavetoclutchatandclingtosomebody，don’tyou？Youcan’tbeartheideaofstandingupbyyourownstrength。’’
　　``YouthinkI’mtryingtofastentoyou？’’shesaid，withanangrylaugh。
　　``Iknowit。Youadmittedit。Youarenotsatisfiedwiththewaythingsaregoing。Youhavedoubtsaboutyourcareer。Youshrinkfromyouronlycomfortablealternative，ifthecareerwinksout。Youaskmemyopinionaboutyourselfandaboutcareers。Igiveit。
　　Now，Ifindyouaskedonlythatyoumighthavesomeonetoleanon，toaccuseofhavinggotyouintoamess，ifdoingwhatyouthinkyououghttodoturnsoutasbadlyasyoufear。’’
　　Itwasthelongestspeechshehadheardhimmake。
　　Shehadnoinclinationtodisputehisanalysisofhermotives。``Ididnotrealizeit，’’saidshe，``butthatisprobablyso。But——rememberhowIwasbroughtup。’’
　　``There’sonlyonethingforyoutodo。’’
　　``Gobacktomyhusband？Youknow——aboutme——don’tyou？’’
　　``Yes’’
　　``Ican’tgobacktohim。’’
　　``No。’’
　　``Then——what？’’sheasked。
　　``Goon，asnow，’’repliedhe。
　　``Youdespiseme，don’tyou？’’
　　``No。’’
　　``Butyousaidyoudid。’’
　　``Dislikeanddespisearenotatallthesame。’’
　　``Youadmitthatyoudislikeme，’’criedshetriumphantly。
　　Hedidnotanswer。
　　``Youthinkmeaweak，clingingcreature，notabletodoanythingbutmakepretenses。’’
　　Noanswer。
　　``Don’tyou？’’shepersisted。
　　``ProbablyIhaveaboutthesameopinionofyouthatyouhaveofyourself。’’
　　``WhatWILLbecomeofme？’’shesaid。Herfacelightedupwithanexpressionofrecklessbeauty。``IfIcouldonlygetstartedI’dgotothedevil，laughinganddancing——andtakingatrainwithme。’’
　　``YouAREstarted，’’saidhe，withanamiablesmile。
　　``Keepon。ButIdoubtifyou’llbesowellamusedasyoumayimagine。Goingtothedevilisn’tasit’spaintedinnovelsbyhomelyoldmaidsandbymentootimidtogooutofnights。Afewstepsfarther，andyourdisillusionmentwillbegin。Butthere’llbenoturningback。Already，youarealmosttoooldtomakeacareer。’’
　　``I’monlytwenty-four。IflatteredmyselfIlookedstillyounger。’’
　　``It’sworsethanIthought，’’saidhe。``Mostofthesingers，eventhesecond-rateones，beganatfifteen——
　　beganseriously。Andyouhaven’tbegunyet。’’
　　``That’sunjust，’’sheprotested。``I’vedonealittle。
　　Manygreatpeoplewouldthinkitagreatdeal。’’
　　``Youhaven’tbegunyet，’’repeatedhecalmly。``Youhavespentalotofmoney，andhavedonealotofdreamingandtalkingandlisteningtocompliments，andhavetakenalotoflessonsofanexpensivecharlatan。Butwhathavethosethingstodowithacareer？’’
　　``You’veneverheardmesing。’’
　　``Idonotcareforsinging。’’
　　``Oh！’’saidsheinatoneofrelief。``Thenyouknownothingaboutallthis。’’
　　``Onthecontrary，Iknoweverythingaboutacareer。
　　Andweweretalkingofcareers，notofsinging。’’
　　``YoumeanthatmyvoiceisworthlessbecauseI
　　haven’ttheotherelements？’’
　　``WhatelsecouldIhavemeant？’’saidhe。``Youhaven’tthestrength。Youhaven’tthehealth。’’
　　Shelaughedasshestraightenedherself。``DoI
　　lookweakandsickly？’’criedshe。
　　``Forthepurposesofacareerasafemaleyouarestrongandwell，’’saidhe。``Forthepurposeofacareerasasinger——’’Hesmiledandshookhishead。
　　``Asingermusthavemuscleslikewireropes，likeablacksmithorawasherwoman。Theotherdaywewereclimbingahill——anotverysteephill。Youstoppedfivetimesforbreath，andtwiceyousatdowntorest。’’
　　Shewasliterallyhangingherheadwithshame。``I
　　wasn’tverywellthatday，’’shemurmured。
　　``Don’tdeceiveyourself，’’saidhe。``Don’tindulgeinthefatalfollyofself-excuse。’’
　　``Goon，’’shesaidhumbly。``Iwanttohearitall。’’
　　``Isyourthroatsoreto-day？’’pursuedhe。
　　Shecolored。``It’sbetter，’’shemurmured。
　　``Asingerwithsorethroat！’’mockedhe。``You’vehadaslightfogginessofthevoiceallsummer。’’
　　``It’sthisseaair，’’sheeagerlyprotested。``Itaffectseveryone。’’
　　``Noself-excuse，please，’’interruptedhe。``Cigarettes，champagne，allkindsoffoolishfood，animpaireddigestion——that’sthetruth，andyouknowit。’’
　　``I’vegotsplendiddigestion！Icaneatanything！’’
　　shecried。``Oh，youdon’tknowthefirstthingaboutsinging。Youdon’tknowabouttemperament，aboutart，aboutallthethingsthatsingingreallymeans。’’
　　``Weweretalkingofcareers，’’saidhe。``Acareermeansapersonwhocanbereliedupontodowhatisdemandedofhim。Asinger’scareermeansapowerfulbody，perfecthealth，asounddigestion。Withoutthem，thevoicewillnotbereliable。Whatyouneedisnotsingingteachers，butteachersofathleticsandofhygiene。
　　Tohearyoutalkaboutacareerislikelisteningtoachild。Youthinkyoucanbecomeaprofessionalsingerbypayingmoneytoateacher。Therearelawyersanddoctorsandbusinessmeninalllineswhothinkthatwayabouttheirprofessions——thatlearningalittleroutineoftechnicalknowledgemakesalawyeroradoctororamerchantorafinancier。’’
　　``Tellme——WHAToughtItolearn？’’
　　``Learntothink——andtopersist。Learntoconcentrate。Learntomakesacrifices。Learntohandleyourselfasagreatpainterhandleshisbrushandcolors。
　　Thenperhapsyou’llmakeacareerasasinger。Ifnot，it’llbeacareerassomethingorother。’’
　　Shewaswatchinghimwithawistful，puzzledexpression。
　　``CouldIeverdoallthat？’’
　　``Anyonecould，byworkingawayatiteveryday。
　　Ifyougainonlyoneinchaday，inayearyou’llhavegainedthreehundredandsixty-fiveinches。Andifyougainaninchadayforawhileandholdit，yousoonbegintogainafootaday。Butthere’snoneedtoworryaboutthat。’’Hewasgazingathernowwithanexpressionofanimationthatshowedhowfeverishlyalivehewasbehindthatmaskofcalmness。``Theday’swork——that’sthestoryofsuccess。Dotheday’sworkpersistently，thoroughly，intelligently。Nevermindaboutto-morrow。Thinkingofitmeansdreamingordespairing——bothfutilities。Justtheday’swork。’’
　　``Ibegintounderstand，’’shesaidthoughtfully。
　　``Youareright。I’vedonenothing。Oh，I’vebeenafool——morefoolisheventhanIthought。’’
　　Alongsilence，thenshesaid，somewhatembarrassedandinalowvoice，thoughtherewasnodangerofthoseinfrontofthemhearing：
　　``Iwantyoutoknowthattherehasbeennothingwrong——betweenStanleyandme。’’
　　``Doyouwishmetoputthattoyourcreditortoyourdiscredit？’’inquiredhe。
　　``Whatdoyoumean？’’
　　``Why，you’vejusttoldmethatyouhaven’tgivenStanleyanythingatallforhismoney——thatyou’vecheatedhimoutright。Thethingitselfisdiscreditable，butyourtonesuggeststhatyouthinkI’lladmireyouforit。’’
　　``Doyoumeantosaythatyou’dthinkmorehighlyofmeifIwere——whatmostwomenwouldbeinthesamecircumstances？’’
　　``ImeantosaythatIthinkthewholebusinessisdiscreditabletobothofyou——tohisintelligence，toyourcharacter。’’
　　``Youarefrank，’’saidshe，tryingtohideheranger。
　　``Iamfrank，’’repliedhe，undisturbed。Helookedather。``WhyshouldInotbe？’’
　　``YouknowthatIneedyou，thatIdon’tdareresent，’’saidshe。``Soisn’tit——alittlecowardly？’’
　　``Whydoyouneedme？Notformoney，foryouknowyou’llnotgetthat。’’
　　``Idon’twantit，’’criedshe，agitated。``Ineverthoughtofit。’’
　　``Yes，you’veprobablythoughtofit，’’repliedhecoolly。``Butyouwillnotgetit。’’
　　``Well，that’ssettled——I’llnotgetit。’’
　　``Thenwhydoyouneedme？OfwhatusecanIbetoyou？Onlyoneuseintheworld。Totellyouthetruth——theexacttruth。Isnotthatso？’’
　　``Yes，’’shesaid。``ThatiswhatIwantfromyou——whatIcan’tgetfromanyoneelse。Nooneelseknowsthetruth——notevenMrs。Brindley，thoughshe’sintelligent。ItakebackwhatIsaidaboutyourbeingcowardly。Oh，youdostabmyvanityso！Youmustn’tmindmycryingout。Ican’thelpit——atleast，nottillIgetusedtoyou。’’
　　``Cryout，’’saidhe。``Itdoesnoharm。’’
　　``Howwonderfullyyouunderstandme！’’exclaimedshe。``That’swhyIletyousaytomeanythingyouplease。’’
　　Hewassmilingpeculiarly——asmilethatsomehowmadeherfeeluncomfortable。Shenervedherselfforsomestilldeeperstabintohervanity。Hesaid，hisgazeuponherandironical：
　　``I’msorryIcan’treturnthecompliment。’’
　　``Whatcompliment？’’askedshe。
　　``Can’tsaythatyouunderstandme。WhydoyouthinkIamdoingthis？’’
　　Shecolored。``Oh，noindeed，Mr。Keith，’’sheprotested，``Idon’tthinkyouareinlovewithme——oranythingofthatsort。Indeed，Idonot。Iknowyoubetterthanthat。’’
　　``Really？’’saidhe，amused。``Thenyouarenothuman。’’
　　``Howcanyouthinkmesovain？’’sheprotested。
　　``Becauseyouareso，’’repliedhe。``Youareasvain——nomoreso，butjustasmuchso——astheaverageprettyandattractivewomanbroughtupasyouhavebeen。Youarenotobsessedbythenotionthatyourphysicalcharmsareall-powerful，andinthatfactthereishopeforyou。Butyouattachentirelytoomuchimportancetothem。Youwillfindthemahindranceforalongtimebeforetheybegintobeahelptoyouinyourcareer。Andtheywillalwaysbeatemptationtoyoutotaketheeasy，stupidwayofmakingaliving——theonlywayopentomostwomenthatisnotpositivelyrepulsive。’’
　　``Ithinkitisthemostrepulsive，’’saidMildred。
　　``Don’tcant，’’repliedhe，unimpressed。``It’snotsorepulsivetoyoursortofwomanasmanuallabor——
　　orasanykindofworkthatmeansnoleisure，noluxuryandsmallpay。’’
　　``Iwonder，’’saidMildred。``I——I’mafraidyou’reright。ButIWON’Tadmitit。Idon’tdare。’’
　　``That’sthefinest，truestthingI’veeverheardyousay，’’saidKeith。
　　Mildredwaspleasedoutofallproportiontothecompliment。Saidshewithfrankeagerness，``ThenI’mnotaltogetherhopeless？’’
　　``Asacharacter，noindeed，’’repliedhe。``Butasacareer——Iwasabouttosay，youmaysetyourmindatrest。Ishallnevertrytocollectformyservices。
　　Iamdoingallthissolelyoutofobstinacy。’’
　　``Obstinacy？’’askedthepuzzledgirl。
　　``Theimpossibleattractsme。That’swhyI’veneverbeeninterestedtomakeacareerinlaworpoliticsorthosethings。Icareonlyforthethingthatcan’tbedone。WhenIsawyouandstudiedyou，asIstudyeverynewthing，Idecidedthatyoucouldnotpossiblymakeacareer。’’
　　``Whyhaveyouchangedyourmind？’’sheinterruptedeagerly。
　　``Ihaven’t，’’repliedhe。``IfIhad，Ishouldhavelostinterestinyou。Justassoonasyoushowsignsofmakingacareer，Ishallloseinterestinyou。Ihaveafriend，adoctor，whowilltakeonlycaseswherecureisimpossible。Lookingatyou，itoccurredtomethatherewasachancetomakeanexperimentmoreinterestingthananyofhis。AndasIhavenootherimpossibletaskinvitingmeatpresent，Idecidedtoundertakeyou——ifyouwerewilling。’’
　　``Whydoyoutellmethis？’’sheasked。``Todiscourageme？’’
　　``No。Yourvanitywillpreventthat。’’
　　``Thenwhy？’’
　　``Toclearmyselfofallresponsibilityforyou。Youunderstand——Ibindmyselftonothing。Iamfreetostoportogoonatanytime。’’
　　``AndI？’’saidMildred。
　　``YoumustdoexactlyasItellyou。’’
　　``Butthatisnotfair，’’criedshe。
　　``Whynot？’’inquiredhe。``Withoutmeyouhavenohope——nonewhatever。’’
　　``Idon’tbelievethat，’’declaredshe。``Itisnottrue。’’
　　``Verywell。Thenwe’lldropthebusiness，’’saidhetranquilly。``IfthetimecomeswhenyouseethatI’myouronlyhope，andifthenI’minmypresenthumor，wewillgoon。’’
　　Andhelapsedintosilencefromwhichshesoongaveovertryingtorousehim。Shethoughtofwhathehadsaid，studiedhim，butcouldmakenothingofit。Sheletfourdaysgoby，daysofincreasingunrestandunhappiness。Shecouldnotaccountforherself。DonaldKeithseemedtohavecastaspelloverher——anevilspell。Herthroatgavehermoreandmoretrouble。Shetriedhervoice，foundthatithadvanished。
　　Sheexaminedherselfintheglass，andsaworfanciedthatherlooksweregoing——notsothatotherswouldnoteit，butinthesubtlewaysthatgivethefirstalarmtoawomanwhohasbeautyworthtakingcareofandthinksaboutitintelligently。ShethoughtMrs。Brindleywasbeginningtodoubther，suspectedacovertuneasinessinStanley。Herfoundations，suchastheywere，seemedtotteringandreadytodisintegrate。Shesawherownpastwithclearvisionforthefirsttime——
　　sawhowfutileshehadbeen，andwhyKeithbelievedtherewasnohopeforher。Shemadedesperateeffortstostopthinkingaboutpastandfuture，toabsorbherselfinpresentcomfortandluxuryandopportunitiesforenjoyment。ButKeithwasalwaysthere——andtoseehimwastoloseallcapacityforenjoyment。Shewascurt，almostrudetohim——hadsomevagueideaofforcinghimtostayaway。Yeteverytimeshelostsightofhim，shewasinterroruntilshesawhimagain。
　　Shewasaloneonthesmallverandafacingthehigh-
　　road。Shehappenedtoglancetowardthestation。hergazebecamefixed，herbodyrigid，for，comingleisurelyandpompouslytowardthehouse，wasGeneralSiddall，inthefullpanoplyofhiswonderfultailoringandhaberdashery。Shethoughtofflight，butinstantlyknewthatflightwasuseless。thelittlegeneralwasnottherebyaccident。Shewaited，herrigiditygivingheradeceptiveseemingofcalmandevenease。Heenteredthelittleyard，takingoffhisglossyhatandexposingtherampanttoupee。Hesmiledathersoslightlythattheangleoftheneedle-pointedmustachesandimperialwasnotchanged。Thecold，expressionless，fishyeyessimplylookedather。
　　``Adelightfullittlehouse，’’saidhe，withapatronizingglancearound。``MayIsitdown？’’
　　Sheinclinedherhead。
　　``Andyouarelookingwell，charming，’’hewenton，andheseatedhimselfandcarefullyplantedhisneatbootssidebyside。``Forthesummerthere’snothingequaltotheseashore。Youaresurprisedtoseeme？’’
　　``Ithoughtyouwereabroad，’’saidMildred。
　　``SoIwas——untilyesterday。Icamebackbecausemymenhadfoundyou。AndI’mherebecauseIventuretohopethatyouhavehadenoughofthisfoolishescapade。Ihopewecancometoanunderstanding。
　　I’velostmytasteforwanderingabout。Iwishtosettledown——tohaveahomeandtostayinit。BythatImean，ofcourse，twoorthree——orpossiblyfour——
　　houses，accordingtotheseason。’’Mildredsentherglancedartingabout。Thelittlegeneralsawandbegantotalkmorerapidly。``I’vegivenconsiderablethoughttoour——ourmisunderstanding。IfeelthatI
　　gavetoomuchimportancetoyour——your——Ididnottakeyouryouthandinexperienceoftheworldandofmarriedlifesufficientlyintoaccount。AlsothefirstMrs。Siddallwasnotalady——northesecond。Alady，ayounglady，wasanewexperiencetome。Iamagenerousman。SoIsayfranklythatIoughttohavebeenmorepatient。’’
　　``YousaidyouwouldneverseemeagainuntilIcametoyou，’’saidMildred。Ashewasnotlookingather，shewatchedhisface。Shenowsawachange——behindthemask。Buthewentoninanunchangedvoice：
　　``WereyouawarethatMrs。Bairdisabouttosueherhusbandforaseparation——notforadivorcebutforaseparation——andnameyou？’’
　　Mildreddroppedlimplybackinherchair。
　　``Thatmeansscandal，’’continuedSiddall，``scandaltouchingmyname——myhonor。Imaysay，IdonotbelievewhatMrs。Bairdcharges。Mymenhavehadyouunderobservationforseveralweeks。Also，Mrs。
　　Brindleyis，Ilearn，awomanofthehighestcharacter。
　　Butthethinglooksbad——youhidingfromyourhusband，livingunderanassumedname，receivingthevisitsofaformeradmirer。’’
　　``Youaremistaken，’’saidMildred。``Mrs。Bairdwouldnotbringsuchafalse，wickedcharge。’’
　　``Youareinnocent，mydear，’’saidthegeneral。
　　``Youdon’trealizehowyourconductlooks。Sheintendstochargethatherhusbandhasbeensupportingyou。’’
　　Mildred，quivering，startedup，sankweaklybackagain。
　　``But，’’hewenton，``youwilleasilyprovethatyourmoneyisyourinheritancefromyourfather。IassuredmyselfofthatbeforeIconsentedtocomehere。’’
　　``Consented？’’saidMildred。``Atwhoserequest？’’
　　``Thatofmyowngenerosity，’’repliedhe。``Butmyhonorhadtobereassured。WhenIwassatisfiedthatyouwereinnocent，andsimplyflightyandfoolish，Icame。Iftherehadbeenanytaintuponyou，ofcourseIcouldnothavetakenyouback。Asitis，Iamwilling——Imaysay，morethanwilling。Mrs。Bairdcanbeboughtoffandfrightenedoff。Whenshefindsyouhavemetoprotectyou，shewillmoveverycautiously，youmaybesure。’’
　　Asthelittlemantalked，Mildredsawandfeltbehindthemaskthethoughts，thelongingsofhisphysicalinfatuationforhercoilinganduncoilingandreachingtremulouslyouttowardherlikeunclean，horribletentacles。Shewasdrawnasfarascouldbebackintoherchair，andhersoulwasshrinkingwithinherbody。
　　``Iamwillingtomakeyouaproperallowance，andtogiveyouallproperfreedom，’’hewenton。Heshowedhissharpwhiteteethinagracioussmile。``I
　　realizeImustconcedesomethingofmyold-fashionedideastothemodernspirit。IneverthoughtIwould，butIdidn’tappreciatehowfondIwasofyou，mydear。’’Hemumbledhistongueandnoiselesslysmackedhisthinlips。``Yes，youareworthconcessionsandsacrifices。’’
　　``Iamnotgoingback，’’saidMildred。``Nothingyoucouldoffermewouldmakeanydifference。’’Shefeltsuddenlycalmandstrong。Shestood。``Pleaseconsiderthisfinal。’’
　　``But，mydear，’’saidthegeneralsoftly，thoughtherewasawickedgleambehindthemask，``youforgetthescandal——’’
　　``Iforgetnothing，’’interruptedshe。``Ishallnotgoback。’’
　　Beforehecouldattemptfurthertodetainhersheopenedthescreendoorandentered。Itclosedonthespringandonthespringlock。
　　DonaldKeith，cominginfromthesea-frontveranda，wasjustintimetosaveherfromfalling。Shepushedhimfiercelyawayandsankdownonthesofajustwithintheprettylittledrawing-room。Shesaid：
　　``Thankyou。Ididn’tmeantoberude。Iwasonlyangrywithmyself。I’mgettingtobeoneofthoseabsurdfemaleswhoblubberandkeelover。’’
　　``You’rewhiteandlimp，’’saidhe。``What’sthematter？’’
　　``GeneralSiddallisoutthere。’’
　　``Um——he’scomeback，hashe？’’saidKeith。
　　``AndIamafraidofhim——horriblyafraidofhim。’’
　　``Insomeplacesandcircumstanceshewouldbeadangerousproposition，’’saidKeith。``ButnothereintheEast——andnottoyou。’’
　　``HewoulddoANYTHING。Idon’tknowwhathecando，butIamsureitwillbefrightful——willdestroyme。’’
　　``Youaregoingwithhim？’’
　　Shelaughed。``Iloathehim。IthoughtIlefthimthroughfearandanger。Iwasmistaken。Itwasloathing。Andmyfearofhim——it’sloathing，too。’’
　　``Youmeanthat？’’saidKeith，observingherintently。``Youwishtoberidofhim？’’
　　``Whatapooropinionyouhaveofme，’’saidshe。
　　``Really，Idon’tdeservequitethat。’’
　　``Thencomewithme。’’
　　Thelookofterrorandshrinkingreturned。
　　``Where？Toseehim？’’
　　``Forthelasttime，’’saidKeith。``There’llbenoscene。’’
　　Itwasthesupremetestofherconfidenceinhim。
　　Withouthesitation，sherose，precededhimintothehall，andadvancedfirmlytowardthescreendoorthroughwhichthelittlegeneralcouldbeseen。Hewasstandingatthetopstep，hisbacktothem。Atthesoundoftheopeningdoorheturned。
　　``ThisisMr。DonaldKeith，’’saidMildred。``Hewishestospeaktoyou。’’
　　Thegeneralbowed。Keithbenthishead。Theyeyedeachotherwiththemeasuringglance。Keithsaidinhisdry，terseway：``IaskedMissGowertocomewithmebecauseIwishhertohearwhatIhavetosaytoyou。’’
　　``Youmeanmywife，’’saidthegeneralwithagracioussmile。
　　``ImeanMissGower，’’returnedKeith。``Asyouknow，sheisnotyourwife。’’
　　Mildredutteredacry。butthetwomencontinuedtolookeachattheother，withimpassivecountenances。
　　``YouronlywifeisthewomanwhohasbeenintheprivateinsaneasylumofDoctorRiversatPueblo，Colorado，forthepastelevenyears。ForabouttwentyyearsbeforethatshewasintheDelavanprivateasylumnearDenver。YoucouldnotdivorceherunderthelawsofColorado。ThedivorceyougotinNevadawasfraudulent。’’
　　``That’salie，’’saidthegeneralcoldly。
　　Keithwenton，asifhehadnotheard：``Youwillnotannoythisladyagain。AndyouwillstopbribingStanleyBaird’swifetomakeafoolofherself。AndyouwillstopbuyinghousesintheblockswhereBairdownsrealestate，andmovingcoloredfamiliesintothem。’’
　　``Itellyouthataboutmydivorceisalie，’’repliedSiddall。
　　``Icanproveit，’’saidKeith。``AndIcanprovethatyouknewitbeforeyoumarriedyoursecondwife。’’
　　ForthefirsttimeSiddallbetrayedatthesurfaceahintofhowhardhewashit。Hisskingrewbrightyellow。
　　wrinklesroundhiseyesandroundthebaseofhisnosesprangintosuddenprominence。
　　``IseeyouknowwhatImean——thatattempttofalsifytherecordatCarsonCity，’’saidKeith。HeopenedthescreendoorforMildredtopassin。Hefollowedher，andthedoorclosedbehindthem。Theywentintothedrawing-room。Hedroppedintoaneasychair，crossedhislegs，leanedhisheadbackindolently——afavoriteattitudeofhis。
　　``Howlonghaveyouknown？’’saidshe。Hercheekswereflushedwithexcitement。
　　``Oh，agoodmanyyears，’’repliedhe。``Itwasoneofthoseaccidentalbitsofinformationamanrunsacrossinknockingabout。AssoonasBairdtoldmeaboutyou，Ihadthethinglookedup，quietly。Iwasgoinguptoseehimto-morrow——aboutthenegroesandMrs。
　　Baird’ssuit。’’
　　``DoesStanleyknow？’’inquiredshe。
　　``No，’’saidKeith。``Notnecessary。Neverwillbe。Ifyoulike，youcanhavethemarriageannulledwithoutnotoriety。Butthat’snotnecessary，either。’’
　　Afteralongsilence，shesaid：``Whatdoesthismakeoutofme？’’
　　``Youmean，whatwouldbethoughtofyou，ifitwereknown？’’inquiredhe。``Well，itprobablywouldn’timproveyoursocialposition。’’
　　``Iamdisgraced，’’saidshe，curiouslyratherthanemotionally。
　　``Wouldbe，ifitwereknown，’’correctedhe，``andifyouarenothingbutawomanwithoutmoneylookingforahusband。Ifyouhappenedtobeasingeroranactress，itwouldaddtoyourreputation——makeyoumoretalkedabout。’’
　　``ButIamnotanactressorasinger。’’
　　``Ontheotherhand，Ishouldsayyoudidn’tamounttomuchsocially。ExceptinHangingRock，ofcourse——ifthereisstillaHangingRock。Don’tworryaboutyourreputation。Fussingandfrettingaboutyoursocialpositiondoesn’thelptowardacareer。’’
　　``Naturally，youtakeitcoolly。Butyoucanhardlyexpectmeto，’’criedshe。
　　``Youaretakingitcoolly，’’saidhe。``Thenwhytrytoworkyourselfupintoafitofhysterics？Thethingisofnoimportance——exceptthatyou’refreenow——willneverbebotheredbySiddallagain。Yououghttothankme，andforgetit。Don’tbeoneofthelittlepeoplewhoareforeveragitatingabouttrifles。’’
　　Trifles！Tospeakofsuchthingsastrifles！Andyet——Well，whatdidtheyactuallyamounttoinherlife？``Yes，IAMfree，’’shesaidthoughtfully。``I’vegotwhatIwanted——gotitintheeasiestwaypossible。’’
　　``That’sbetter，’’saidheapprovingly。
　　``AndI’veburntmybridgesbehindme，’’pursuedshe。``There’snothingformenowbuttogoahead。’’
　　``Whichroad？’’inquiredhecarelessly。
　　``Thecareer，’’criedshe。``There’snootherforme。
　　OfcourseICOULDmarryStanley，whenhe’sfree，ashewouldbebeforeverylong，ifIsuggestedit。Yes，I
　　couldmarryhim。’’
　　``Couldyou？’’observedhe。
　　``Doesn’theloveme？’’
　　``Undoubtedly。’’
　　``Thenwhydoyousayhewouldnotmarryme？’’
　　demandedshe。
　　``DidIsaythat？’’
　　``Youinsinuatedit。Yousuggestedthattherewasadoubt。’’
　　``Then，thereisnodoubt？’’
　　``Yes，thereis，’’shecriedangrily。``Youwon’tletmeenjoytheleastbitofadelusion。HemightmarrymeifIwerefamous。ButasIamnow——He’saninbredsnob。Hecan’thelpit。Hesimplycouldn’tmarryawomaninmyposition。Butyou’reoverlookingonething——that_I_wouldnotmarryHIM。’’
　　``That’sunimportant，iftrue，’’saidKeith。
　　``Youdon’tbelieveit？’’
　　``Idon’tcareanythingaboutit，mydearlady，’’saidKeith。``HaveyougottimetowasteinthinkingabouthowmuchIaminlovewithyou？Whatawomanlywomanyouare，tobesure。Yourtruewoman，youknow，neverthinksofanythingbutlove——nothowmuchsheloves，buthowmuchsheisloved。’’
　　``Becareful！’’shewarned。``Somedayyou’llgotoofarinsayingoutrageousthingstome。’’
　　``Andthen？’’saidhesmilingly。
　　``Youcarenothingforourfriendship？’’
　　``TheexperimentistheonlyinterestIhaveinyou，’’
　　repliedhe。
　　``Thatisnottrue，’’saidshe。``Youhavealwayslikedme。That’swhyyoulookedupmyhus——
　　GeneralSiddal{sic}andgotreadyforhim。That’swhyyousavedmeto-day。Youareaverytender-heartedandgenerousman——andyouhideitasyoudoeverythingelseaboutyourself。’’
　　Hewaslookingoffintospacefromthedepthsoftheeasychair，amockingsmileonhisclassical，impassiveface。
　　``Whatpuzzlesme，’’shewenton，``iswhyyouinterestyourselfinasvainandshallowandvacillatingawomanasIam。Youdon’tcareformylooks——andthat’sallthereistome。’’
　　``Don’tpausetobecontradicted，’’saidhe。
　　Shewasinafinehumornow。``YoumightatleasthavesaidIwasuptothefemaleaverage，forIam。
　　Whathavetheygottoofferamanbuttheirlooks？
　　DoyouknowwhyIdespisemen？’’
　　``Doyou？’’
　　``Ido。Andit’sbecausetheyputupwithwomenasmuchastheydo——spendsomuchmoneyonthem，listentotheirchatter，admiretheirridiculousclothes。
　　Oh，Iunderstandwhy。I’velearnedthat。AndIcanimaginemyselfputtingupwithanythinginsomeonemanIhappenedtofancystrongly。Butmenarefoolishaboutthewholesex——orallofthemthathaveashadowofaclaimtogoodlooks。’’
　　``Yes，themenmakefoolsofthemselves，’’admittedhe。``ButInoticethatthemenmanagesomehowtomakethecareers，andholdontothemoneyandthepower，whilethewomenhavetowheedleandfawnandsubmitinordertogetwhattheywantfromthemen。
　　There’snothingtobesaidforyoursex。It’sbeenhopelesslycorruptedbymine。Forallthetalkabouttheinfluenceofwoman，whatimpressionhasyoursexmadeuponmine？Andyoursex——ithasbeenmadebymineintoexactlywhatwewishedittobe。Takemyadvice，getoutofyoursex。Abandonit，andmakeacareer。’’
　　Afterawhilesherecalledwithastarttheeventsoflessthananhourago——eventsthatoughttohaveseemedwildlyexciting，arousingthedeepestandstrongestemotions。Yettheyhadmadenoimpressionuponher。Absolutelynone。Shehadnohorrorinthethoughtthatshehadbeenthevictimofabigamist。
　　shehadnoelationoverherreleaseintofreedomandsafety。Shewonderedwhetherthisarosefromutterfrivolousnessorfromindifferencetothetriflesofconventionaljoys，sorrows，agitations，excitementswhicharethewholelifeofmostpeople——thatindifferencewhichisthecauseofthegeneralopinionthatmenandwomenwhomakecareersareusuallyhardenedintheprocess。
　　Asshelayawakethatnight——shehadgotaverybadhabitoflyingawakehourafterhour——shesuddenlycametoadecision。ButshedidnottellKeithforseveraldays。Shediditinthisway：
　　``Don’tyouthinkI’mlookingbetter？’’sheasked。
　　``You’resleepingagain，’’saidhe。
　　``Doyouknowwhy？Becausemymind’satrest。
　　I’vedecidedtoacceptyouroffer。’’
　　``Andmyterms？’’saidhe，apparentlynotinterestedbyherannouncement。
　　``Andyourterms，’’assentedshe。``Youarefreetostopwheneverthewhimstrikesyou。Imustdoexactlyasyoubid。Whatdoyouwishmetodo？’’
　　``Nothingatpresent，’’repliedhe。``Iwillletyouknow。’’
　　Shewasdisappointed。Shehadassumedthatsomething——
　　somethingnewandinteresting，probablyirritating，perhapsenraging，wouldoccuratonce。Hisindifference，hisputtingofftoafuturetime，whichhismannermadeseemmosthazilyindefinite，gaveherthefoolishandcollapsingsenseofhavingbrokenthroughanopendoor。
　　VII
　　THEfirstofSeptembertheywentuptotown。
　　Stanleyleftatonceforhisannualshootingtrip。
　　DonaldKeithdisappeared，saying——aswashishabit——
　　neitherwhathewasaboutnorwhenhewouldbeseenagain。Mrs。Brindleysummonedherpupilsandhermusicalfriends。MildredresumedthelessonswithJennings。Therewasnodoubtaboutit，shehadastonishinglyimprovedduringthesummer。Therehadcome——or，rather，hadcomeback——intohervoicethebirdlikequality，free，joyous，spontaneous，thathadnotbeentheresinceherfather’sdeathandthefamily’sdownfall。ShewasgladthatherarrangementwithDonaldKeithwasofsuchanaturethatshewasreallynotboundtogoonwithit——ifheshouldevercomebackandremindherofwhatshehadsaid。NowthatJenningswasenthusiastic——givingjustanddeservedpraise，asherownearandMrs。Brindleyassuredher，shewasangryatherselfforhavingtoleratedKeith’sfrankness，hisinsolence，hisinsultingandcontemptuousdenialsofherability。Shewasimpatienttoseehim，thatshemightputhimdown。ShesaidtoJennings：
　　``YouthinkIcanmakeacareer？’’
　　``Thereisn’tadoubtinmymindnow，’’repliedhe。
　　``Yououghttobeoneofthefewgreatlyricsopranoswithinfiveyears。’’
　　``Aman，thissummer——areallyunusualmaninsomeways——toldmetherewasnohopeforme。’’
　　``Asingingteacher？’’
　　``No，alawyer。AMr。Keith——DonaldKeith。’’
　　``I’veheardofhim，’’saidJennings。``HismotherwasRivi，thefamouscoloraturaoftwentyyearsago。’’
　　Mildredwasastounded。``Hemustknowsomethingaboutmusic。’’
　　``Probably，’’repliedJennings。``HelivedwithherinItaly，Ibelieve，untilhewasalmostgrown。Thenshedied。Yousangforhim？’’
　　``No，’’Mildredsaidithesitatingly。
　　``Oh！’’saidJennings，andhisexpression——interested，disturbed，puzzled——madeMildredunderstandwhyshehadbeensoreluctanttoconfess。Jenningsdidnotpursuethesubject，butabruptlybeganthelesson。Thatdayandseveraldaysthereafterheputhertotestshehadneverusedbefore。Shesawthathewassearchingforsomething——fortheflawimpliedintheadverseverdictofthesonofLuciaRivi。Shewasenormouslyrelievedwhenhegaveoverthesearchwithouthavingfoundtheflaw。ShefeltthatDonaldKeith’sverdicthadbeenprovedfalseoratleastfaulty。
　　Yetshewasnotwhollyreassured，andfromtimetotimeshesuspectedthatJenningshadnotbeen，either。
　　Soonthegayetyoftheprecedingwinterandspringwasinfullswingagain。Keithdidnotreturn，didnotwrite，andCyrillaBrindleyinquiredandtelephonedinvain。Mildredworkedwithenthusiasm，withhope，presentlywithconfidence。ShehopedeverydaythatKeithwouldcome。shewouldmakehimlistentoher，forcehimtoadmit。Shecaughtaslightcold，neglectedit，triedtosingitaway。Hervoiceleftherabruptly。ShewenttoJenningsasusualthedayshefoundherselfabletodonothingmoremusicalthansqueak。Shetoldhimherplight。Saidhe：
　　``Begin！Let’shear。’’
　　Shemadeafewdismalattempts，stoppedshort，and，halflaughing，halfashamed，facedhimforthelecturesheknewwouldbeforthcoming。Now，itsohappenedthatJenningswasinafrightfulhumorthatday——oneofthosehumorsinwhichthemostprudentlosetheirself-control。Hehadbeenlisteningtoasuccessionofnewpupils——womenwithmoneyandnovoice，womenwhoscreechedandscreamedandthoroughlyenjoyedthemselvesandangledconfidentlyforcompliments。AsJenningshadanacutemusicalear，hissufferingshadbeenfrightful。Hewasusedtothesetorments，hadthehabitofturningthefuryintowhichtheyputhimintoexcellentfinancialordisciplinaryaccount。Butonthisparticulardayhisnerveswenttopieces，anditwaswithMildredthattheexplosioncame。Whenshelookedathim，shewashorrifiedtoseeafacedistortedanddiscoloredbysheerrage。
　　``Youfool！’’heshouted，stormingupanddown。
　　``Youfool！Youcan’tsing！Keithwasright。Youwouldn’tdoevenforachurchchoir。Youcan’tbereliedon。There’snothingbehindyourvoice——nostrength，noendurance，nobrains。Nobrains！Doyouhear？——nobrains，Isay！’’
　　Mildredwasterrified。Shehadseenhimintantrumsbefore，butalwaystherehadbeenajudiciousreservingofpartofthetruth。Insteadofresenting，insteadofflashingeyeorquiveringlips，Mildredsatdownandwithwhitefaceanddazedeyesstaredstraightbeforeher。
　　Jenningsravedandroaredhimselfout。Ashecametohissensesfromthisdebauchoftruth-tellinghisfirstthoughtwashowexpensiveitmightbe。Thus，longbeforetherewasanyoutwardsignthatthestormhadpassed，theravings，theinsultswereshrewdlytemperedwithqualifyings。Ifshekeptoncatchingthesecolds，ifshedidnotobeyhisinstructions，shemightputoffherdebutforyears——forthreeyears，fortwoyearsatleast。Andshewouldalwaysberowingwithmanagersandirritatingthepublic——andsoonandon。Butthemischiefhadbeendone。Thegirldidnotrouse。
　　``Nousetogoonto-day，’’hesaidgruffly——thepretenseatlastrumblingsofanexpiringstorm。
　　``Noranyotherday，’’saidMildred。
　　Shestoodandstraightenedherself。Herfacewasbeautifulratherthanlovely。Itspallor，itsstronglines，themelancholyintensityoftheeyes，madeherseemmorethewomanfullydeveloped，less，farless，thematuringgirl。
　　``Nonsense！’’scoldedJennings。``Butnomorecoldslikethat。Theyimpairthequalityofthevoice。’’
　　``Ihavenovoice，’’saidthegirl。``Iseethetruth。’’
　　Jenningswasinwardlycursinghisinsanetemper。
　　Inaboutthekindliesttonehehadeverusedwithher，hesaid：``MydearMissStevens，youareinnoconditiontojudgeto-day。Comebackto-morrow。Dosomethingforthatcoldto-night。Clearoutthethroat——andcomebackto-morrow。Youwillsee。’’
　　``Yes，Iknowthosetricks，’’saidshe，withasadlittlesmile。``Youcanmakeacrowseemtosing。Butyoutoldmethetruth。’’
　　``To-morrow，’’hecriedpleasantly，givingheranencouragingpatontheshoulder。Heknewthefollyoftalkingtoomuch，thedangerofconfirmingherfearsbypretendingtomakelightofthem。``Agoodsleep，andto-morrowthingswilllookbrighter。’’
　　Hedidnotlikeherexpression。Itwasnottheonehewasusedtoseeinginthosevain，``temperamental’’
　　pupilsofhis——thedowncastvanitythatwillbeupagaininafewhours。Itwasrathertheexpressionofonewhohasbeenfinallyandforeverdisillusioned。
　　OnherwayhomeshestoppedtosendKeithatelegram：``Imustseeyouatonce。’’
　　Therewereseveralattheapartmentfortea，amongthemCullan，anamateurviolinistandcriticonmusicwhomsheespeciallyliked。For，insteadofthedreamy，romanticcharacterhislargebrowneyesandsensitivefeaturessuggested，herevealedintalkandactionsaboyishgayety——free，beitsaid，fromboyishsilliness——
　　thatwasmostinfectious。Hiswasoneofthosesoulsthatputusinthemoodtolaughatallseriousness，toforgetallelseinthesupremefactoftherealityofexistence。Hemadeherforgetthatday——forgetuntilKeith’sansweringtelegraminterrupted：``NextMondayafternoon。’’
　　Aweeklessadayaway！Sheshrankandtrembledattheprospectofrelyinguponherselfaloneforsixlongdays。Everyprophadbeentakenawayfromher。
　　Eventhedubiouspropofthestrange，unsatisfactoryKeith。Forhadhenotfailedher？Shehadsaid，``must’’and``atonce’’。andhehadrespondedwiththreewordsofcurtrefusal。
　　AfterdinnerStanleyunexpectedlyappeared。HehardlywaitedforthenecessaryformalitiesofthegreetingbeforehesaidtoMrs。Brindley：``IwanttoseeMildredalone。Iknowyouwon’tmind，Mrs。Brindley。
　　It’sveryimportant。’’Helaughednervouslybutcheerfully。
　　``AndinafewminutesI’llcallyouin。IthinkI’llhavesomethinginterestingtotellyou。’’
　　Mrs。Brindleylaughed。Withhercigaretteinonehandandhercupofafter-dinnercoffeeintheother，shemovedtowardthedoor，sayinggaylytoMildred：
　　``I’llbeinthenextroom。IfyouscreamIshallhear。Sodon’tbealarmed。’’
　　Stanleyclosedthedoor，turnedbeaminguponMildred。Saidhe：``Here’smynews。Mymissushasgotherdivorce。’’
　　Mildredstartedup。
　　``Yes，therealthing，’’heassuredher。``OfcourseIknewwhatwasdoing。ButIkeptmum——didn’twanttosayanythingtoyoutillIcouldsayeverything。
　　Mildred，I’mfree。Wecanbemarriedto-morrow，ifyouwill。’’
　　``Thenyouknowaboutme？’’saidshe，confused。
　　``OnthewayIstoppedintoseeKeith。Hetoldmeaboutthatskunk——toldmeyouwerefree，too。’’
　　Mildredslowlysatdown。Herelbowsresteduponthetable。Therewasherbareforearm，slenderandround，andherlong，gracefulfingerslayagainsthercheek。Thelightfromabovereflectedcharminglyfromthesoftwavesandcurvesofherhair。``You’relovely——simplylovely！’’criedStanley。``Mildred——
　　darling——youWILLmarryme，won’tyou？Youcangorightonwiththecareer，ifyoulike。Infact，I’dratheryouwould，forI’mfrightfullyproudofyourvoice。AndI’vechangedalotsinceIbecamesincerelyinterestedinyou。Theothersortoflifeandpeopledon’tamusemeanymore。Mildred，sayyou’llmarryme。I’llmakeyouashappyasthedaysarelong。’’
　　Shemovedslightly。Herhanddroppedtothetable。
　　``IguessIcamedownonyoutoosuddenly，’’saidhe。``Youlookabitdazed。’’
　　``No，I’mnotdazed，’’repliedshe。
　　``I’llcallMrs。Brindleyin，andwe’llallthreetalkitover。’’
　　``Pleasedon’t，’’saidshe。``I’vegottothinkitoutformyself。’’
　　``Iknowthereisn’tanyoneelse，’’hewenton。``So，I’msure——deadsure，Mildred，thatIcanteachyoutoloveme。’’
　　Shelookedathimpleadingly。``Idon’thavetoanswerrightaway？’’
　　``Certainlynot，’’laughedhe。``Butwhyshouldn’tyou？Whatisthereagainstourgettingmarried？
　　Nothing。Andeverythingforit。Ourmarriagewillstraightenoutallthe——thelittledifficulties，andyoucangoaheadwiththesingingandnotbotheraboutmoney，orwhatpeoplemightsay，oranyofthosethings。’’
　　``I——I’vegottothinkaboutit，Stanley，’’shesaidgently。``Iwanttodothedecentthingbyyouandbymyself。’’
　　``You’reafraidI’llinterfereinthecareer——won’twantyoutogoon？Mildred，IswearI’m——’’
　　``Itisn’tthat，’’sheinterrupted，hercolorhigh。
　　``Thetruthis——’’shefaltered，cametoafullstop——
　　cried，``Oh，Ican’ttalkaboutitto-night。’’
　　``To-morrow？’’hesuggested。
　　``I——don’tknow，’’shestammered。``Perhapsto-
　　morrow。Butitmaybetwoorthreedays。’’
　　Stanleylookedcrestfallen。``Thathurts，Mildred，’’
　　hesaid。``IwasSOfullofit，soanxioustobeentirelyhappy，andIthoughtyou’dfallrightinwithit。
　　Somethingtodowithmoney？You’rehorriblysensitiveaboutmoney，dear。Ilikethatinyou，ofcourse。
　　Notmanywomenwouldhavebeenassquare，wouldhavetakenaslittle——andworkedhard——andthoughtandcaredaboutnothingbutmakinggood——ByJove，it’snowonderI’mstarkcrazyaboutYOU！’’
　　Shewasflushedandtrembling。``Don’t，’’shepleaded。``You’rebeatingmedownintothedust。I——
　　I’m——’’Shestartedup。``Ican’ttalkto-night。
　　ImightsaythingsI’dbe——Ican’ttalkaboutit。I
　　must——’’
　　Shepressedherlipstogetherandfledthroughthehalltoherownroom，toshutandlockherselfin。Hestaredinamazement。Whenheheardthedistantsoundoftheturningkeyhedroppedtoachairagainandlaughed。Certainlywomenwerequeercreatures——
　　alwaysdoingwhatonedidn’texpect。Still，intheend——
　　well，asensiblewomanknewagoodchancetomarryandtookit。TherewasnodoubtagooddealofpretenseinMildred’sdelicacyastomoneymatters——butadevilishcreditablesortofpretense。Helikedtheladylike，``nice’’pretenses，ofwomenoftherightsort——likedthemwhentheyfooledhim，likedthemwhentheyonlyhalffooledhim。
　　Presentlyheknockedonthedoorofthelittlelibrary，openeditwhenpermissioncameinCyrilla’svoice。Shewasreadingtheeveningpaper——hedidnotseetheglassesshehastilythrustintoadrawer。Inthatsoftlightshelookedascantthirty，handsome，butforhistastetoointellectualoftypetobeattractive——exceptasafriend。
　　``Well，’’saidhe，ashelitacigaretteanddroppedthematchintothebigcopperash-bowl，``I’llbetyoucan’tguesswhatI’vebeenupto。’’
　　``MakinglovetoMissStevens，’’repliedshe。``Andveryfoolishitisofyou。She’sgotasteadyheadinthatway。’’
　　``You’remightyright，’’saidheheartily。``AndI
　　admireherforthatmorethanforanythingelse。I’dtrustheranywhere。’’
　　``You’repayingyourselfahighcompliment，’’
　　laughedCyrilla。
　　``How’sthat？’’inquiredhe。``You’retoosubtleforme。I’mabitslow。’’
　　Mrs。Brindleydecidedagainstexplaining。Itwasnotwisetoriskraisinganunjustdoubtinthemindofamanwhofanciedthatawomanwhoresistedhimwouldbeadamanttoeveryotherman。``ThenI’vegottoguessagain？’’saidshe。
　　``I’vebeenaskinghertomarryme，’’saidStanley，whocouldcontainitnolonger。``Mrs。B。wasreleasedfrommeto-daybythecourtinProvidence。’’
　　``ButSHE’Snotfree，’’saidCyrilla，alittleseverely。
　　Stanleylookedconfused，finallysaid：``Yes，sheis。
　　It’saqueerstory。Don’tsayanything。Ican’texplain。IknowIcantrustyoutokeepaclosemouth。’’
　　``Mindingmyownbusinessismyonesupremetalent，’’
　　saidCyrilla。
　　``Shehasn’tacceptedme——insomanywords，’’pursuedBaird，``butI’vehopesthatit’llcomeoutallright。’’
　　``Naturally，’’commentedCyrilladryly。
　　``IknowI’mnot——notobjectionabletoher。AndhowIdoloveher！’’Hesettledhimselfathisease。
　　``Ican’tbelieveit’sreallyme。IneverthoughtI’dmarry——justforlove。Didyou？’’
　　``You’reveryself-indulgent，’’saidCyrilla。
　　``YoumeanI’mmarryingherbecauseIcan’tgetheranyotherway。There’swhereyou’rewrong，Mrs。
　　Brindley。I’mmarryingherbecauseIdon’twantheranyotherway。That’swhyIknowit’slove。Ididn’tthinkIwascapableofit。Ofcourse，I’vebeenratherstrongaftertheladiesallmylife。Youknowhowitiswithmen。’’
　　``Ido，’’saidMrs。Brindley。
　　``No，youdon’teither，’’retortedhe。``You’reoneofthosecold，stand-me-offwomenwhocan’tcomprehendthenatureofman。’’
　　``Asyouplease，’’saidshe。Inhereyestherewasagleamthatmorethansuggestedapossibilityofsomeman——somemanshemightfancy——seeinganamazinglydifferentCyrillaBrindley。
　　``ImaysayIwasdaftaboutprettywomen，’’
　　continuedBaird。``Ineverreadanitemaboutaprettywomaninthepapers，orsawapictureofaprettywomanthatIdidn’twishIknewher——well。Canyouimaginethat？’’laughedhe。
　　``Commonplace，’’saidCyrilla。``Allmenareso。
　　That’swhythepapersalwaysdescribethewomanasprettyandwhythepicturesarepublished。’’
　　``Really？Yes，Isupposeso。’’Bairdlookedchagrined。``Anyhow，hereIam，allforonewoman。
　　Andwhy？Ican’texplainittomyself。She’spretty，lovely，entrancingsometimes。Shehascharm，grace，sweetness。Shedresseswellandcarriesherselfwithakindofsweethaughtiness。Shelooksasifsheknewalot——andnothingbad。Doyouknow，Ican’timagineherhavingbeenmarriedtothatbeast！I’vetriedtoimagineit。Isimplycan’t。’’
　　``Ishouldn’ttryifIwereyou，’’saidMrs。Brindley。
　　``ButIwastalkingaboutwhyIloveher。Doesthisboreyou？’’
　　``Alittle，’’laughedCyrilla。``I’dratherhearsomemantalkingaboutMYcharms。Butgoon。Youareamusing，inaway。’’
　　``I’llwagerIam。YouneverthoughtI’dbecaught？
　　IbelievedIwasimmune——vaccinatedagainstit。
　　IthoughtIknewallthetricksandturnsofthesex。
　　YethereIam！’’
　　``Whatdoyouthinkcaughtyou？’’
　　``That’sthemystery。It’ssimplythatIcan’tdowithouther。Everythingshelooksandsaysanddoesinterestsmemorethananythingelseintheworld。AndwhenI’mnotwithherI’mwishingIwereandwonderinghowshe’slookingorwhatshe’ssayingordoing。Youdon’tthinkshe’llrefuseme？’’Thislastwithrealanxiety。
　　``Ihaven’tanidea，’’repliedMrs。Brindley。``She’s——peculiar。Insomemoodsshewould。Inothers，shecouldn’t。AndI’veneverbeenabletosettletomysatisfactionwhichkindofmoodwastherealMaryStevens。’’
　　``SheISqueer，isn’tshe？’’saidStanleythoughtfully。
　　``ButI’vetoldhershe’dbefreetogoonwiththecareer。
　　Factis，Iwanthertodoit。’’
　　Mrs。Brindley’seyestwinkled。``Youthinkitwouldjustifyyoutoyoursetinmarryingher，ifshemadeagreathit？’’
　　Stanleyblushedingenuously。``I’llnotdenythathassomethingtodowithit，’’headmitted。``Andwhynot？’’
　　``Whynot，indeed？’’saidshe。``But，aftershehadmadethehit，you’dwanthertoquitthestageandtakeherplaceinsociety。Isn’tthatso？’’
　　``YouAREakeenone，’’exclaimedheadmiringly。
　　``ButIdidn’tsaythattoher。Andyouwon’t，willyou？’’
　　``It’shardlynecessarytoaskthat，’’saidMrs。
　　Brindley。``Now，suppose——Youdon’tmindmytalkingaboutthis？’’
　　``WhatIwant，’’repliedhe。``Ican’ttalkorthinkanythingbuther。’’
　　``Now，supposesheshouldn’tmakeahit。Supposesheshouldfail——shouldnotdevelopreliablevoiceenough？’’
　　Stanleylookedfrightened。``Butshecan’tfail，’’
　　hecriedwithover-energy。``There’snoquestionabouthervoice。’’
　　``Iunderstand，’’Mrs。Brindleyhastenedtosay。``I
　　wassimplymakingconversationwithherasthesubject。’’
　　``Oh，Isee。’’Stanleysettledback。
　　``Supposesheshouldprovenottobeagreatartist——
　　whatthen？’’persistedCyrilla，whowasdeeplyinterestedintheintricateobscureproblemofwhatpeoplereallythoughtasdistinguishedfromwhattheyprofessedandalsofromwhattheyimaginedtheythought。
　　``Thefactthatshe’sagreatartist——that’spartofher，’’saidBaird。``Ifsheweren’tagreatsinger，shewouldn’tbeshe——don’tyousee？’’
　　``Yes，Isee，’’saidMrs。Brindleywithanironicsadnesswhichsheindulgedopenlybecausetherewasnodangerofhisunderstanding。
　　``Idon’texactlyloveherbecausesheamountstoalot——orissureto，’’pursuedhe，vaguelydissatisfiedwithhimself。``It’sjustasshedoesn’tcareformebecauseI’vegotthemeanstotakecareofherright，yetthat’spartofme——andshe’dnotbeabletomarrymeifIhadn’t。Don’tyousee？’’
　　``Yes，Isee，’’saidMrs。Brindleywithmoreironyandlesssadness。``There’salwaysSOMEreasonbesidelove。’’
　　``I’dsaythere’salwayssomereasonFORlove，’’saidBaird，andhefeltthathehadsaidsomethingbrilliant——
　　asisthehabitofpeopleofsluggishmentalitywhentheysayathingtheydonotthemselvesunderstand。
　　``Youdon’tdoubtthatIloveher？’’hewenton。``WhyshouldIaskhertomarrymeifIdidn’t？’’
　　``Isupposethatsettlesit，’’saidCyrilla。
　　``Ofcourseitdoes，’’declaredhe。