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。