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。\"