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。