Shedisappeared。Fiorsencouldhearawoman’sacidvoice，aman’s，ratherhoarseandgreasy，thesoundofasmackingkiss。And，withaviciousshrug，hestoodatbay。Trapped！Thelittledevil！Thelittledovelikedevil！Hesawaladyinasilkdress，greenshotwithbeetrootcolour，ashort，thickgentlemanwitharound，greyishbeard，inagreysuit，havingasmalldahliainhisbuttonhole，and，behindthem，DaphneWing，flushed，andveryround-
eyed。Hetookastep，intendingtoescapewithoutmoreado。Thegentlemansaid:”Introduceus，Daisy。Ididn’tquitecatch——Mr。Dawson？Howdoyoudo，sir？Oneofmydaughter’simpresarios，Ithink。’Appytomeetyou，I’msure。”
Fiorsentookalongbreath，andbowed。Mr。Wagge’ssmallpiggyeyeshadfixedthemselvesonthelittletrees。”She’sgotanicelittleplacehereforherwork——quietandunconventional。Ihopeyouthinkwellofhertalent，sir？Youmightgofurtherandfareworse，Ibelieve。”
AgainFiorsenbowed。”Youmaybeproudofher，”hesaid；”sheistherisingstar。”
Mr。Waggeclearedhisthroat。”Ow，”hesaid；”ye’es！Fromalittlething，wethoughtshehadstuffinher。I’vecometotakeagreatinterestinherwork。
It’snotinmyline，butIthinkshe’sasticker；Iliketoseeperseverance。Whereyou’vegotthat，you’vegothalfthebattleofsuccess。Somanyoftheseyoungpeopleseemtothinklife’sallplay。Youmustseealotofthatinyourprofession，sir。””Robert！”
AshiverrandownFiorsen’sspine。”Ye-es？””ThenamewasnotDAWson！”
Therefollowedalongmoment。Ontheonesidewasthatvinegarywomanpokingherheadforwardlikeanangryhen，ontheother，DaphneWing，hereyesrounderandrounder，hercheeksredderandredder，herlipsopening，herhandsclaspedtoherperfectbreast，and，inthecentre，thatbroad，grey-beardedfigure，withreddeningfaceandangryeyesandhoarseningvoice:”Youscoundrel！Youinfernalscoundrel！”Itlurchedforward，raisingapudgyfist。Fiorsensprangdownthestairsandwrenchedopenthedoor。Hewalkedawayinawhirlofmortification。Shouldhegobackandtakethatpug-facedvulgarianbythethroat？Asforthatminx！ButhisfeelingsaboutHERweretoocomplicatedforexpression。Andthen——sodarkandrandomarethewaysofthemind——
histhoughtsdartedbacktoGyp，sittingontheoakenchest，makingherconfession；andthewhipsandstingsofitscoredhimworsethanever。
X
Thatsameevening，standingatthecornerofBuryStreet，SummerhaywatchedGypgoingswiftlytoherfather’shouse。Hecouldnotbringhimselftomovewhiletherewasstillachancetocatchaglimpseofherface，asignfromherhand。Gone！Hewalkedawaywithhisheaddown。Themoreblissfulthehoursjustspent，thegreaterthedesolationwhentheyareover。Ofsuchisthenatureoflove，ashewasnowdiscerning。Thelongingtohaveheralwayswithhimwasgrowingfast。Sinceherhusbandknew——whywait？
Therewouldbenorestforeitheroftheminanexistenceofmeetingsandpartingslikethis，withthemenaceofthatfellow。
Shemustcomeawaywithhimatonce——abroad——untilthingshaddeclaredthemselves；andthenhemustfindaplacewheretheycouldliveandshefeelsafeandhappy。Hemustshowhewasindeadearnest，sethisaffairsinorder。Andhethought:’Nogooddoingthingsbyhalves。Mothermustknow。Thesoonerthebetter。Getitover——atonce！’And，withagrimaceofdiscomfort，hesetoutforhisaunt’shouseinCadoganGardens，wherehismotheralwaysstayedwhenshewasintown。
LadySummerhaywasintheboudoir，waitingfordinnerandreadingabookondreams。Ared-shadedlampcastamellowtingeoverthegreyfrock，overonereddishcheekandonewhiteshoulder。Shewasastrikingperson，tallandwellbuilt，herveryblondehaironlyjustturninggrey，forshehadmarriedyoungandbeenawidowfifteenyears——oneofthosewomenwhosenaturallyfreespiritshavebeennettedbyassociationwithpeopleofpublicposition。Bubbleswerestillrisingfromhersubmergedsoul，butitwasobviousthatitwouldnotagainseteyesonthehorizon。Withviewsneithernarrownorilliberal，asviewsinsocietygo，shejudgedeverythingnowaspeopleofpublicpositionmust——discussion，ofcourse，butnoalterationinone’swayofliving。Speculationandideasdidnotaffectsocialusage。Thecountlessmovementsinwhichsheandherfriendswereinterestedfortheemancipationandbenefitofotherswere，infact，onlychannelsforlettingoffhersuperfluousgoodwill，conduit-pipes，forthedirectingspiritbredinher。Shethoughtandactedintermsofthepublicgood，regulatedbywhatpeopleofpositionsaidatluncheonanddinner。Anditwassurelynotherfaultthatsuchpeoplemustlunchanddine。Whenhersonhadbentandkissedher，sheheldupthebooktohimandsaid:”Well，Bryan，Ithinkthisman’sbookdisgraceful；hesimplyrunshissex-ideatodeath。Really，wearen’tallquitesoobsessedasthat。Idothinkheoughttobeputinhisownlunaticasylum。”
Summerhay，lookingdownathergloomily，answered:”I’vegotbadnewsforyou，Mother。”
LadySummerhayclosedthebookandsearchedhisfacewithapprehension。Sheknewthatexpression。Sheknewthatpoiseofhishead，asifbuttingatsomething。Helookedlikethatwhenhecametoheringamblingscrapes。Wasthisanother？Bryanhadalwaysbeenapickle。Hisnextwordstookherbreathaway。”ThepeopleatMildenham，MajorWintonandhisdaughter——youknow。
Well，I’minlovewithher——I’m——I’mherlover。”
LadySummerhayutteredagasp。”But——but——Bryan——””Thatfellowshemarrieddrinks。He’simpossible。Shehadtoleavehimayearago，withherbaby——otherreasons，too。Lookhere，Mother:Thisishateful，butyou’dgottoknow。Ican’ttalkofher。There’snochanceofadivorce。”Hisvoicegrewhigher。”Don’ttrytopersuademeoutofit。It’snogood。”
LadySummerhay，fromwhosecomelyfaceafrock，asitwere，hadslipped，claspedherhandstogetheronthebook。
Suchaswiftdescentof”life”ononetowhomithadforsolongbeenaseriesof”cases”wascruel，andhersonfeltthiswithoutquiterealizingwhy。Inthegripofhisnewemotions，hestillretainedenoughbalancetoappreciatewhatanabominablydesolatepieceofnewsthismustbetoher，whatadisturbanceanddisappointment。And，takingherhand，heputittohislips。”Cheerup，Mother！It’sallright。She’shappy，andsoamI。”
LadySummerhaycouldonlypressherhandagainsthiskiss，andmurmur:”Yes；that’snoteverything，Bryan。Isthere——istheregoingtobeascandal？””Idon’tknow。Ihopenot；but，anyway，HEknowsaboutit。””Societydoesn’tforgive。”
Summerhayshruggedhisshoulders。”AwfullysorryforYOU，Mother。””Oh，Bryan！”
Thisrepetitionofherplaintjarredhisnerves。”Don’trunaheadofthings。Youneedn’ttellEdithorFlo。Youneedn’ttellanybody。Wedon’tknowwhat’llhappenyet。”
ButinLadySummerhayallwastoosoreandblank。Thiswomanshehadneverseen，whoseoriginwasdoubtful，whosemarriagemusthavesoiledher，whowassomekindofasiren，nodoubt。Itreallywastoohard！Shebelievedinherson，haddreamedofpublicpositionforhim，or，rather，felthewouldattainitasamatterofcourse。
Andshesaidfeebly:”ThisMajorWintonisamanofbreeding，isn’the？””Rather！”And，stoppingbeforeher，asifhereadherthoughts，headded:”Youthinkshe’snotgoodenoughforme？She’sgoodenoughforanyoneonearth。Andshe’stheproudestwomanI’veevermet。
Ifyou’rebotheringastowhattodoabouther——don’t！Shewon’twantanythingofanybody——Icantellyouthat。Shewon’tacceptanycrumbs。””That’slucky！”hoveredonLadySummerhay’slips；but，gazingatherson，shebecameawarethatshestoodonthebrinkofadownfallinhisheart。Thenthebitternessofherdisappointmentrisingupagain，shesaidcoldly:”Areyougoingtolivetogetheropenly？””Yes；ifshewill。””Youdon’tknowyet？””Ishall——soon。”
LadySummerhaygotup，andthebookondreamsslippedoffherlapwithathump。Shewenttothefireplace，andstoodtherelookingatherson。Hehadaltered。Hismerrylookwasgone；hisfacewasstrangetoher。Sheremembereditlikethat，onceintheparkatWidrington，whenhelosthistemperwithaponyandcamegallopingpasther，sittingback，hiscurlyhairstivereduplikealittledemon’s。Andshesaidsadly:”Youcanhardlyexpectmetolikeitforyou，Bryan，evenifsheiswhatyousay。Andisn’ttheresomestoryabout——””Mydearmother，themorethereisagainsther，themoreIshallloveher——that’sobvious。”
LadySummerhaysighedagain。”Whatisthismangoingtodo？Iheardhimplayonce。””Idon’tknow。Nothing，Idaresay。Morallyandlegally，he’soutofcourt。IonlywishtoGodheWOULDbringacase，andIcouldmarryher；butGypsayshewon’t。”
LadySummerhaymurmured:”Gyp？Isthathername？”Andasuddenwish，almostalonging，notafriendlyone，toseethiswomanseizedher。”Willyoubringhertoseeme？I’maloneheretillWednesday。””I’llaskher，butIdon’tthinkshe’llcome。”Heturnedhisheadaway。”Mother，she’swonderful！”
AnunhappysmiletwistedLadySummerhay’slips。Nodoubt！
Aphroditeherselfhadvisitedherboy。Aphrodite！And——afterward？
Sheaskeddesolately:”DoesMajorWintonknow？””Yes。””Whatdoeshesaytoit？””Say？Whatcananyonesay？Fromyourpointofview，orhis，it’srotten，ofcourse。Butinherposition，anything’srotten。”
Atthatencouragingword，theflood-gatesgavewayinLadySummerhay，andshepouredforthastreamofwords。”Oh，mydear，can’tyoupullup？I’veseensomanyoftheseaffairsgowrong。Itreallyisnotfornothingthatlawandconventionsarewhattheyare——believeme！Really，Bryan，experiencedoesshowthatthepressure’stoogreat。It’sonlyonceinaway——veryexceptionalpeople，veryexceptionalcircumstances。
Youmayn’tthinknowit’llhamperyou，butyou’llfinditwill——
mostfearfully。It’snotasifyouwereawriteroranartist，whocantakehisworkwherehelikesandliveinadesertifhewants。
You’vegottodoyoursinLondon，yourwholecareerisboundupwithsociety。Dothink，beforeyougobuttingupagainstit！It’sallverywelltosayit’snoaffairofanyone’s，butyou’llfinditis，Bryan。Andthen，canyou——canyoupossiblymakeherhappyinthelong-run？”
Shestoppedattheexpressiononhisface。Itwasasifheweresaying:”Ihaveleftyourworld。Talktoyourfellows；allthisisnothingtome。””Lookhere，Mother:youdon’tseemtounderstand。I’mdevoted——
devotedsothatthere’snothingelseforme。””Howlongwillthatlast，Bryan？Youmeanbewitched。”
Summerhaysaid，withpassion:”Idon’t。ImeanwhatIsaid。Good-night！”Andhewenttothedoor。”Won’tyoustaytodinner，dear？”
Buthewasgone，andthefullofvexation，anxiety，andwretchednesscameonLadySummerhay。Itwastoohard！Shewentdowntoherlonelydinner，desolateandsore。Andtothebookondreams，openedbesideherplate，sheturnedeyesthattookinnothing。
Summerhaywentstraighthome。Thelampswerebrighteningintheearly-autumndusk，andadraughty，rufflingwindflickedayellowleafhereandtherefromofftheplanetrees。Itwasjustthemomentwheneveningbluecomesintothecolouringofthetown——thathouroffusionwhenday’shardandstaringshapesaresoftening，growingdark，mysterious，andallthatbroodsbehindthelivesofmenandtreesandhousescomesdownonthewingsofillusiontorepossesstheworld——thehourwhenanypoetryinamanwellsup。
ButSummerhaystillheardhismother’s，”Oh，Bryan！”and，forthefirsttime，knewthefeelingthathishandwasagainsteveryone’s。
Therewasadifferencealready，orsoitseemedtohim，intheexpressionofeachpasser-by。Nothinganymorewouldbeamatterofcourse；andhewasofaclasstowhomeverythinghasalwaysbeenamatterofcourse。Perhapshedidnotrealizethisclearlyyet；
buthehadbeguntotakewhatthenursescall”notice，”asdothoseonlywhoareforcedontothedefensiveagainstsociety。
Puttinghislatch-keyintothelock，herecalledthesensationwithwhich，thatafternoon，hehadopenedtoGypforthefirsttime——
halffurtive，halfdefiant。Itwouldbealldefiancenow。Thiswastheendoftheoldorder！And，lightingafireinhissitting-
room，hebeganpullingoutdrawers，sortinganddestroying。Heworkedforhours，burning，makinglists，packingpapersandphotographs。Finishingatlast，hedrankastiffwhiskyandsoda，andsatdowntosmoke。Nowthattheroomwasquiet，Gypseemedtofillitagainwithherpresence。Closinghiseyes，hecouldseehertherebythehearth，justasshestoodbeforetheyleft，turningherfaceuptohim，murmuring:”Youwon’tstoplovingme，nowyou’resosureIloveyou？”Stoplovingher！Themoreshelovedhim，themorehewouldloveher。Andhesaidaloud:”ByGod！
Iwon’t！”Atthatremark，sovehementforthetimeofnight，theoldScotchterrier，Ossian，camefromhiscornerandshovedhislongblacknoseintohismaster’shand。”Comealongup，Ossy！Gooddog，Oss！”And，comfortedbythewarmthofthatblackbodybesidehiminthechair，Summerhayfellasleepinfrontofthefiresmoulderingwithblackenedfragmentsofhispast。
XI
ThoughGyphadneverseemedtolookroundshehadbeenquiteconsciousofSummerhaystillstandingwheretheyhadparted，watchingherintothehouseinBuryStreet。Thestrengthofherownfeelingsurprisedher，asabatherintheseaissurprised，findingherfeetwillnottouchbottom，thatsheiscarriedawayhelpless——only，thesewerethewatersofecstasy。
Forthesecondnightrunning，shehardlyslept，hearingtheclocksofSt。James’sstrike，andBigBenboom，hourafterhour。Atbreakfast，shetoldherfatherofFiorsen’sreappearance。Hereceivedthenewswithafrownandashrewdglance。”Well，Gyp？””Itoldhim。”
Hisfeelings，atthatmoment，wereperhapsasmixedastheyhadeverbeen——curiosity，parentaldisapproval，towhichheknewhewasnotentitled，admirationofherpluckinlettingthatfellowknow，fearsfortheconsequencesofthisconfession，and，morethanall，hisprofounddisturbanceatknowingheratlastlaunchedintothedeepwatersoflove。Itwastheleastofthesefeelingsthatfoundexpression。”Howdidhetakeit？””Rushedaway。TheonlythingIfeelsureofisthathewon’tdivorceme。””No，byGeorge；Idon’tsupposeevenhewouldhavethatimpudence！”
AndWintonwassilent，tryingtopenetratethefuture。”Well，”hesaidsuddenly，”it’sonthekneesofthegodsthen。Butbecareful，Gyp。”
Aboutnoon，Bettyreturnedfromthesea，withasolemn，dark-eyed，cooinglittleGyp，brownasaroastedcoffee-berry。Whenshehadbeengivenallthatshecouldwiselyeatafterthejourney，Gypcarriedherofftoherownroom，undressedherforsheerdelightofkissingherfromheadtofoot，andadmiringherplumpbrownlegs，thencuddledherupinashawlandlaydownwithheronthebed。A
fewsleepycoosandstrokings，andlittleGyphadleftforthelandofNod，whilehermotherlaygazingatherblacklasheswithakindofpassion。Shewasnotachild-loverbynature；butthischildofherown，withherdarksoftness，plumpdelicacy，givingdisposition，hercooingvoice，andconstantadjurationsto”dearmum，”wasadorable。Therewassomethingaboutherinsidiouslyseductive。Shehaddevelopedsoquickly，withthegracefulroundnessofalittleanimal，theperfectionofaflower。TheItalianbloodofhergreat-great-grandmotherwasevidentlyprepotentinherasyet；and，thoughshewasnotyettwoyearsold，herhair，whichhadlostitsbabydarkness，wasalreadycurvingroundherneckandwavingonherforehead。Oneofhertinybrownhandshadescapedtheshawlandgraspeditsedgewithdeterminedsoftness。AndwhileGypgazedatthepinkishnailsandtheirabsurdlyweehalf-moons，atthesleepingtranquillitystirredbybreathingnomorethanarose-leafonawindlessday，herlipsgrewfuller，trembled，reachedtowardthedarklashes，tillshehadtoreinherneckbackwithajerktostopsuchself-indulgence。
Soothed，hypnotized，almostinadream，shelaytherebesideherbaby。
Thatevening，atdinner，Wintonsaidcalmly:”Well，I’vebeentoseeFiorsen，andwarnedhimoff。FoundhimatthatfellowRosek’s。”Gypreceivedthenewswithavaguesensationofalarm。”AndImetthatgirl，thedancer，comingoutofthehouseasIwasgoingin——madeitplainI’dseenher，soIdon’tthinkhe’lltroubleyou。”
Anirresistibleimpulsemadeherask:”Howwasshelooking，Dad？”
Wintonsmiledgrimly。Howtoconveyhisimpressionofthefigurehehadseencomingdownthesteps——ofthoseeyesgrowingrounderandrounderatsightofhim，ofthatmouthopeninginan:”Oh！””Muchthesame。Ratherflabbergastedatseeingme，Ithink。A
whitehat——verysmart。Attractiveinherway，butcommon，ofcourse。ThosetwowereplayingthepianoandfiddlewhenIwentup。Theytriednottoletmein，butIwasn’ttobeputoff。
Queerplace，that！”
Gypsmiled。Shecouldseeitallsowell。Theblackwalls，thesilverstatuettes，Ropsdrawings，scentofdeadrose-leavesandpastillesandcigarettes——andthosetwobythepiano——andherfathersocoolanddry！”Onecan’tstandonceremonywithfellowslikethat。Ihadn’tforgottenthatPolishchap’sbehaviourtoyou，mydear。”
ThroughGyppassedaquiverofdread，avaguereturnofthefeelingsonceinspiredbyRosek。”I’malmostsorryyouwent，Dad。Didyousayanythingvery——””DidI？Let’ssee！No；IthinkIwasquitepolite。”Headded，withagrim，littlesmile:”Iwon’tswearIdidn’tcalloneofthemaruffian。Iknowtheysaidsomethingaboutmypresumingonbeingacripple。””Oh，darling！””Yes；itwasthatPolishchap——andsoheis！”
Gypmurmured:”I’dalmostratherithadbeen——theother。”Rosek’spale，suaveface，withtheeyesbehindwhichthereweresuchhiddenthings，andthelipssweetishandrestrainedandsensual——hewouldneverforgive！ButWintononlysmiledagain，pattingherarm。Hewaspleasedwithanencounterwhichhadrelievedhisfeelings。
Gypspentallthateveningwritingherfirstreallove-letter。Butwhen，nextafternoonatsix，infulfilmentofitswording，shecametoSummerhay’slittlehouse，herheartsank；fortheblindsweredownandithadadesertedlook。Ifhehadbeenthere，hewouldhavebeenatthewindow，waiting。Hadhe，then，notgotherletter，notbeenhomesinceyesterday？Andthatchillfearwhichbesetslovers’heartsatfailureofatrystsmoteherforthefirsttime。Inthethree-corneredgardenstoodadecayedstatueofanakedboywithabrokenbow——asparrowwasperchingonhisgreenishshoulder；sooty，heart-shapedlilacleaveshungroundhishead，andathislegstheoldScotchterrierwassniffing。Gypcalled:”Ossian！Ossy！”andtheolddogcame，wagginghistailfeebly。”Master！Whereisyourmaster，dear？”
Ossianpokedhislongnoseintohercalf，andthatgaveheralittlecomfort。Shepassed，perforce，awayfromthedesertedhouseandreturnedhome；butallmanneroffrightenedthoughtsbesether。
Wherehadhegone？Whyhadhegone？Whyhadhenotletherknow？
Doubts——thosehastyattendantsonpassion——camethronging，andscepticismranriot。Whatdidsheknowofhislife，ofhisinterests，ofhim，exceptthathesaidhelovedher？Wherehadhegone？ToWidrington，tosomesmarthouse-party，orevenbacktoScotland？Thejealousfeelingsthathadsobesiegedheratthebungalowwhenhislettersceasedcameagainnowwithredoubledforce。Theremustbesomewomanwho，beforetheirlovebegan，hadclaimonhim，orsomegirlthatheadmired。Henevertoldherofanysuch——ofcourse，hewouldnot！Shewasamazedandhurtbyhercapacityforjealousy。Shehadalwaysthoughtshewouldbetooproudtofeeljealousy——asensationsodarkandwretchedandundignified，but——alas！——sohorriblyrealandclinging。
Shehadsaidshewasnotdiningathome；soWintonhadgonetohisclub，andshewasobligedtopartakeofalittletrumped-uplonelymeal。Shewentuptoherroomafterit，buttherecameonhersuchrestlessnessthatpresentlysheputonherthingsandslippedout。
ShewentpastSt。James’sChurchintoPiccadilly，tothefurther，crowdedside，andbegantowalktowardthepark。Thiswasfoolish；
buttodoafoolishthingwassomerelief，andshewentalongwithafaintsmile，mockingherownrecklessness。Severalwomenofthetown——shipsofnightwithsailsset——cameroundingoutofsidestreetsordownthemainstream，withtheirskilled，rapid-seemingslowness。Andatthediscomfited，half-hostilestaresontheirrougedandpowderedfaces，Gypfeltawickedglee。Shewasdisturbing，hurtingthem——andshewantedtohurt。
Presently，aman，ineveningdress，withovercoatthrownopen，gazedpointblankintoherface，and，raisinghishat，rangedupbesideher。Shewalkedstraighton，stillwiththathalf-smile，knowinghimpuzzledandfearfullyattracted。Thenaninsensatewishtostabhimtotheheartmadeherturnherheadandlookathim。Attheexpressiononherface，hewiltedawayfromher，andagainshefeltthatwickedgleeathavinghurthim。
Shecrossedoutintothetraffic，totheparkside，andturnedbacktowardSt。James’s；andnowshewaspossessedbyprofound，blacksadness。Ifonlyherloverwerebesideherthatbeautifulevening，amongthelightsandshadowsofthetrees，inthewarmair！Whywashenotamongthesepassers-by？Shewhocouldbringanycasualmantohersidebyasmilecouldnotconjureuptheonlyoneshewantedfromthisgreatdesertofatown！Shehurriedalong，togetinandhideherlonging。ButatthecornerofSt。James’sStreet，shestopped。Thatwashisclub，nearlyopposite。Perhapshewasthere，playingcardsorbilliards，afewyardsaway，andyetasinanotherworld。Presentlyhewouldcomeout，gotosomemusic-hall，orstrollhomethinkingofher——perhapsnoteventhinkingofher！
Anotherwomanpassed，givingherafurtiveglance。ButGypfeltnogleenow。And，crossingover，closeunderthewindowsoftheclub，shehurriedhome。Whenshereachedherroom，shebrokeintoastormoftears。Howcouldshehavelikedhurtingthosepoorwomen，hurtingthatman——whowasonlypayingheraman’scompliment，afterall？Andwiththesetears，herjealous，wildfeelingspassed，leavingonlyherlonging。
Nextmorningbroughtaletter。Summerhaywrotefromaninnontheriver，askinghertocomedownbytheeleveno’clocktrain，andhewouldmeetheratthestation。Hewantedtoshowherahousethathehadseen；andtheycouldhavetheafternoonontheriver！Gypreceivedthisletter，whichbegan:”Mydarling！”withanecstasythatshecouldnotquiteconceal。AndWinton，whohadwatchedherface，saidpresently:”IthinkIshallgotoNewmarket，Gyp。Hometo-morrowevening。”
Inthetrainonthewaydown，shesatwithclosedeyes，inasortoftrance。Ifherloverhadbeenthereholdingherinhisarms，hecouldnothaveseemednearer。
Shesawhimasthetrainranin；buttheymetwithoutahand-clasp，withoutaword，simplylookingateachotherandbreakingintosmiles。
Alittlevictoria”dugup”——asSummerhaysaid——”horse，driverandall，”carriedthemslowlyupward。Undercoverofthelightrugstheirhandswereclasped，andtheyneverceasedtolookintoeachother’sfaces，exceptforthoseformalglancesofproprietywhichdeceivenoone。
Thedaywasbeautiful，asonlyearlySeptemberdayscanbe——whenthesunishot，yetnottoohot，anditslightfallsinasilkenradianceontreesjustlosingtheopulentmonotonyofsummer，onsilvery-goldreapedfields，silvery-greenuplands，goldenmustard；
whenshotsringoutinthedistance，and，asonegazes，aleaffalls，withoutreason，asitwouldseem。Presentlytheybranchedoffthemainroadbyalanepastaclumpofbeechesanddrewupatthegateofalonelyhouse，builtofveryoldredbrick，andcoveredbyVirginiacreeperjustturning——ahousewithaningle-
nookandlow，broadchimneys。Beforeitwasawalled，neglectedlawn，withpoplarsandonelargewalnut-tree。Thesunlightseemedtohavecollectedinthatgarden，andtherewasatremendoushumofbees。Abovethetrees，thedownscouldbeseenwhereracehorses，theysaid，weretrained。Summerhayhadthekeysofthehouse，andtheywentin。ToGyp，itwaslikeachild’s”pretending”——toimaginetheyweregoingtolivetheretogether，tosortouttheroomsandconsecrateeach。Shewouldnotspoilthisperfectdaybyargumentoradmissionoftheneedforadecision。Andwhenheasked:”Well，darling，whatdoyouthinkofit？”sheonlyanswered:”Oh，lovely，inaway；butlet’sgobacktotheriverandmakethemostofit。”
Theytookboatat’TheBowlofCream，’theriverinnwhereSummerhaywasstaying。Tohim，whohadbeenarowingmanatOxford，theriverwasknownfromLechladetoRichmond；butGyphadneverinherlifebeenonit，anditsplacidmagic，unlikethatofanyotherriverintheworld，almostoverwhelmedher。Onthisglistening，windlessday，todriftalongpastthebright，flatwater-lilyleavesoverthegreenishdepths，tolistentothepigeons，watchthedragon-fliesflittingpast，andthefishleapinglazily，notevensteering，lettingherhanddabbleinthewater，thencoolinghersun-warmedcheekwithit，andallthetimegazingatSummerhay，who，dippinghisscullsgently，gazedather——allthiswaslikeavoyagedownsomeriverofdreams，theveryfulfilmentoffelicity。Thereisadegreeofhappinessknowntothehumanheartwhichseemstobelongtosomeenchantedworld——abrightmazeintowhich，foramomentnowandthen，weescapeandwander。To-day，hewasmorethaneverlikeherBotticelli”YoungMan，”withhisneckbare，andhisfacesoclear-eyedandbroadandbrown。Hadshereallyhadalifewithanotherman？Andonlyayearago？Itseemedinconceivable！
Butwhen，inthelastbackwater，hetiedtheboatupandcametositwithheroncemore，itwasalreadygettinglate，andthevaguemelancholyofthenowshadowyriverwasstealingintoher。And，withasortofsinkinginherheart，sheheardhimbegin:”Gyp，weMUSTgoawaytogether。Wecanneverstanditgoingonapart，snatchinghourshereandthere。”
Pressinghishandtohercheeks，shemurmured:”Whynot，darling？Hasn’tthisbeenperfect？Whatcouldweeverhavemoreperfect？It’sbeenparadiseitself！””Yes；buttobethrownouteveryday！Tobewholedaysandnightswithoutyou！Gyp，youmust——youmust！Whatisthereagainstit？
Don’tyoulovemeenough？”
Shelookedathim，andthenawayintotheshadows。”Toomuch，Ithink。It’stemptingProvidencetochange。Let’sgoonasweare，Bryan。No；don’tlooklikethat——don’tbeangry！””Whyareyouafraid？Areyousorryforourlove？””No；butletitbelikethis。Don’tlet’sriskanything。””Risk？Isitpeople——society——you’reafraidof？IthoughtYOU
wouldn’tcare。”
Gypsmiled。”Society？No；I’mnotafraidofthat。””What，then？Ofme？””Idon’tknow。Mensoongettired。I’madoubter，Bryan，Ican’thelpit。””Asifanyonecouldgettiredofyou！Areyouafraidofyourself？”
AgainGypsmiled。”Notoflovingtoolittle，Itoldyou。””Howcanonelovetoomuch？”
Shedrewhisheaddowntoher。Butwhenthatkisswasover，sheonlysaidagain:”No，Bryan；let’sgoonasweare。I’llmakeuptoyouwhenI’mwithyou。Ifyouweretotireofme，Icouldn’tbearit。”
Foralongtimemorehepleaded——nowwithanger，nowwithkisses，nowwithreasonings；but，toall，sheopposedthatsametender，half-mournful”No，”and，atlast，hegaveitup，and，indoggedsilence，rowedhertothevillage，whenceshewastotaketrainback。Itwasduskwhentheylefttheboat，anddewwasfalling。
Justbeforetheyreachedthestation，shecaughthishandandpressedittoherbreast。”Darling，don’tbeangrywithme！PerhapsIwill——someday。”
And，inthetrain，shetriedtothinkherselfoncemoreintheboat，amongtheshadowsandthewhisperingreedsandallthequietwonderoftheriver。
XII
Onreachinghomesheletherselfinstealthily，and，thoughshehadnothaddinner，wentupatoncetoherroom。ShewasjusttakingoffherblousewhenBettyentered，herroundfacesplotchedwithred，andtearsrollingdownhercheeks。”Betty！Whatisit？””Oh，mydear，whereHAVEyoubeen？Suchadreadfulpieceofnews！
They’vestolenher！Thatwickedman——yourhusband——hetookherrightoutofherpram——andwentoffwithherinagreatcar——heandthatotherone！I’vebeenhalfoutofmymind！”Gypstaredaghast。”Iholleredtoapoliceman。’He’sstolenher——herfather！
Catchthem！’Isaid。’HowevershallIfacemymistress？’”Shestoppedforbreath，thenburstoutagain。”’He’sabadone，’I
said。’Aforeigner！They’rebothforeigners！’’Herfather？’hesaid。’Well，whyshouldn’the？He’sonlygivin’herajoyride。
He’llbringherback，neveryoufear。’AndIranhome——Ididn’tknowwhereyouwere。Ohdear！Themajorawayandall——whatwasI
todo？I’djustturnedroundtoshutthegateofthesquaregardens，andIneversawhimtillhe’dputhisgreatlongarmoverthepramandsnatchedherout。”And，sittingonthebed，shegavewayutterly。
Gypstoodstill。Nemesisforherhappiness？Thatvengefulwretch，Rosek！Thiswashisdoing。Andshesaid:”Oh，Betty，shemustbecrying！”
Afreshoutburstofmoanswastheonlyanswer。Gyprememberedsuddenlywhatthelawyerhadsaidoverayearago——ithadstruckherwithterroratthetime。Inlaw，Fiorsenownedandcouldclaimherchild。Shecouldhavegotherback，then，bybringingahorriblecaseagainsthim，butnow，perhaps，shehadnochance。
WasitherreturntoFiorsenthattheyaimedat——orthegivingupofherlover？Shewentovertohermirror，saying:”We’llgoatonce，Betty，andgetherbacksomehow。Washyourface。”
Whileshemadeready，shefoughtdownthosetwohorriblefears——oflosingherchild，oflosingherlover；thelessshefeared，thebettershecouldact，themoresubtly，theswifter。Sherememberedthatshehadsomewherealittlestiletto，givenheralongtimeago。Shehunteditout，slippedoffitsred-leathersheath，and，stabbingthepointintoatinycork，slippeditbeneathherblouse。
Iftheycouldstealherbaby，theywerecapableofanything。Shewroteanotetoherfather，tellinghimwhathadhappened，andsayingwhereshehadgone。Then，inataxi，theysetforth。ColdwaterandthecalmnessofhermistresshadremovedfromBettythemaintracesofemotion；butsheclaspedGyp’shandhardandgaveventtoheavysighs。
Gypwouldnotthink。Ifshethoughtofherlittleonecrying，sheknewshewouldcry，too。Butherhatredforthosewhohaddealtthiscowardlyblowgrewwithinher。Shetookaresolutionandsaidquietly:”Mr。Summerhay，Betty。That’swhythey’vestolenourdarling。I
supposeyouknowheandIcareforeachother。They’vestolenhersoastomakemedoanythingtheylike。”
Aprofoundsighansweredher。
Behindthatmoon-facewiththetroubledeyes，whatconflictwasinprogress——betweenunquestioningmoralityandunquestioningbeliefinGyp，betweenfearsforherandwishesforherhappiness，betweentheloyalretainer’shabitofacceptingandtheoldnurse’sfeelingofbeingincharge？Shesaidfaintly:”Ohdear！He’sanicegentleman，too！”Andsuddenly，wheezingitoutwithunexpectedforce:”Tosaytruth，Ineverdidholdyouwasrightlymarriedtothatforeignerinthathorribleregistryplace——
nomusic，noflowers，noblessin’asked，nornothing。Icriedmeeyesoutatthetime。”
Gypsaidquietly:”No；Betty，Ineverwas。IonlythoughtIwasinlove。”A
convulsivesqueezeandcreaking，whifflingsoundsheraldedafreshoutburst。”Don’tcry；we’rejustthere。Thinkofourdarling！”
Thecabstopped。Feelingforherlittleweapon，shegotout，andwithherhandslippedfirmlyunderBetty’sarm，ledthewayupstairs。Chillyshuddersrandownherspine——memoriesofDaphneWingandRosek，ofthatlargewoman——whatwashername？——ofmanyotherfaces，ofunholyhoursspentupthere，inaqueerstate，neverquitepresent，nevercomfortableinsoul；memoriesoflatereturningsdownthesewidestairsouttotheircab，ofFiorsenbesideherinthedarkness，hisdim，broad-cheekbonedfacemoodyinthecornerorpressedclosetohers。Oncetheyhadwalkedalongwayhomewardinthedawn，Rosekwiththem，Fiorsenplayingonhismutedviolin，tothescandalofthepolicemenandthecats。Dim，unrealmemories！GraspingBetty’sarmmorefirmly，sherangthebell。Whenthemanservant，whomsherememberedwell，openedthedoor，herlipsweresodrythattheycouldhardlyformthewords:”IsMr。Fiorsenin，Ford？””No，ma’am；Mr。FiorsenandCountRosekwentintothecountrythisafternoon。Ihaven’ttheiraddressatpresent。”Shemusthaveturnedwhite，forshecouldhearthemansaying:”AnythingIcangetyou，ma’am？””Whendidtheystart，please？””Oneo’clock，ma’am——bycar。CountRosekwasdrivinghimself。I
shouldsaytheywon’tbeawaylong——theyjusthadtheirbagswiththem。”Gypputoutherhandhelplessly；sheheardtheservantsayinaconcernedvoice:”Icouldletyouknowthemomenttheyreturn，ma’am，ifyou’dkindlyleavemeyouraddress。”
Givinghercard，andmurmuring:”Thankyou，Ford；thankyouverymuch，”shegraspedBetty’sarmagainandleanedheavilyonhergoingdownthestairs。
Itwasreal，blackfearnow。Tolosehelplessthings——children——
dogs——andknowforcertainthatonecannotgettothem，nomatterwhattheymaybesuffering！Tobepinneddowntoignoranceandhaveinherearsthecryingofherchild——thishorror，Gypsufferednow。Andnothingtobedone！Nothingbuttogotobedandwait——
hardestofalltasks！Mercifully——thankstoherlongdayintheopen——shefellatlastintoadreamlesssleep，andwhenshewascalled，therewasaletterfromFiorsenonthetraywithhertea。”Gyp:”Iamnotababy-stealerlikeyourfather。Thelawgivesmetherighttomyownchild。Butsweartogiveupyourlover，andthebabyshallcomebacktoyouatonce。Ifyoudonotgivehimup，I
willtakeherawayoutofEngland。Sendmeananswertothispost-
office，anddonotletyourfathertryanytricksuponme。”GUSTAVFIORSEN。”
BeneathwaswrittentheaddressofaWestEndpost-office。
WhenGyphadfinishedreading，shewentthroughsomemomentsofsuchmentalanguishasshehadneverknown，but——justaswhenBettyfirsttoldherofthestealing——herwitsandwarinesscamequicklyback。Hadhebeendrinkingwhenhewrotethatletter？Shecouldalmostfancythatshesmelledbrandy，butitwassoeasytofancywhatonewantedto。Shereaditthroughagain——thistime，shefeltalmostsurethatithadbeendictatedtohim。Ifhehadcomposedthewordinghimself，hewouldneverhaveresistedagibeatthelaw，oragibeathimselfforthussafeguardinghervirtue。ItwasRosek’sdoing。Herangerflamedupanew。Sincetheyusedsuchmean，cruelways，whyneedsheherselfbescrupulous？Shesprangoutofbedandwrote:”HowCOULDyoudosuchabrutalthing？Atallevents，letthedarlinghavehernurse。It’snotlikeyoutoletalittlechildsuffer。Bettywillbereadytocometheminuteyousendforher。
Asformyself，youmustgivemetimetodecide。Iwillletyouknowwithintwodays。”GYP。”
Whenshehadsentthisoff，andatelegramtoherfatheratNewmarket，shereadFiorsen’sletteroncemore，andwasmorethanevercertainthatitwasRosek’swording。And，suddenly，shethoughtofDaphneWing，whomherfatherhadseencomingoutofRosek’shouse。Throughhertheremightbeawayofgettingnews。
Sheseemedtoseeagainthegirllyingsowhiteandvoidofhopewhenrobbedbydeathofherownjust-bornbabe。Yes；surelyitwasworthtrying。
Anhourlater，hercabstoppedbeforetheWagges’doorinFranklandStreet。Butjustasshewasabouttoringthebell，avoicefrombehindhersaid:”Allowme；Ihaveakey。WhatmayI——Oh，it’syou！”Sheturned。
Mr。Wagge，inprofessionalhabiliments，wasstandingthere。”Comein；comein，”hesaid。”Iwaswonderingwhetherperhapsweshouldn’tbeseeingyouafterwhat’stranspired。”
Hanginghistallblackhat，crapednearlytothecrown，onaknobofthemahoganystand，hesaidhuskily:”IDIDthinkwe’dseenthelastofthat，”andopenedthedining-
roomdoor。”Comein，ma’am。Wecanputourheadstogetherbetterinhere。”
Inthattoowellrememberedroom，thetablewaslaidwithastainedwhitecloth，acruet-stand，andbottleofWorcestershiresauce。
Thelittlebluebowlwasgone，sothatnothingnowmarredtheharmonyofredandgreen。Gypsaidquickly:”Doesn’tDaph——Daisyliveathome，then，now？”
TheexpressiononMr。Wagge’sfacewassingular；suspicion，relief，andasortofcraftinesswereblendedwiththatfurtiveadmirationwhichGypseemedalwaystoexciteinhim。”DoIunderstandthatyou——er——””IcametoaskifDaisywoulddosomethingforme。”
Mr。Waggeblewhisnose。”Youdidn’tknow——”hebeganagain。”Yes；Idaresaysheseesmyhusband，ifthat’swhatyoumean；andIdon’tmind——he’snothingtomenow。”
Mr。Wagge’sfacebecamefurthercomplicatedbythesensationsofahusband。”Well，”hesaid，”it’snottobewonderedat，perhaps，inthecircumstances。I’msureIalwaysthought——”
Gypinterruptedswiftly。”Please，Mr。Wagge——please！WillyougivemeDaisy’saddress？”
Mr。Waggeremainedamomentindeepthought；thenhesaid，inagruff，jerkyvoice:”Seventy-threeComradeStreet，So’o。UptoseeinghimthereonTuesday，ImustsayIcherishedeveryhope。NowI’msorryIdidn’tstrikehim——hewastooquickforme——”Hehadraisedoneofhisglovedhandsandwassawingitupanddown。ThesightofthatblackobjectcleavingtheairnearlymadeGypscream，hernervesweresoonedge。”It’sherblastedindependence——Ibegpardon——butwhowouldn’t？”heendedsuddenly。
Gyppassedhim。”Whowouldn’t？”sheheardhisvoicebehindher。”Ididthinkshe’dhaverunstraightthistime——”Andwhileshewasfumblingattheouterdoor，hisred，pudgyface，withitsroundgreybeard，protrudedalmostoverhershoulder。”Ifyou’regoingtoseeher，I
hopeyou’ll——”
Gypwasgone。Inhercabsheshivered。OnceshehadlunchedwithherfatheratarestaurantintheStrand。IthadbeenfullofMr。
Wagges。But，suddenly，shethought:’It’shardonhim，poorman！’
XIII
Seventy-threeComradeStreet，Soho，wasdifficulttofind；but，withtheaidofamilk-boy，Gypdiscoveredthealleyatlast，andtherightdoor。Thereherpridetooksuddenalarm，andbutforthemilk-boy’seyesfixedonherwhileheletouthisprofessionalhowl，shemighthavefled。Aplumpwhitehandandwristemergingtookthecan，andDaphneWing’svoicesaid:”Oh，where’sthecream？””Ain’tgotnone。””Oh！Itoldyoualways——twopennyworthattwelveo’clock。””Twopenn’orth。”Theboy’seyesgoggled。”Didn’tyouwanttospeaktoher，miss？”Hebeattheclosingdoor。”Lidywantstospeaktoyou！Good-mornin’，miss。”
ThefigureofDaphneWinginabluekimonowasrevealed。HereyespeeredroundatGyp。”Oh！”shesaid。”MayIcomein？””Oh，yes！Oh，do！I’vebeenpractising。Oh，Iamgladtoseeyou！”
Inthemiddleofthestudio，alittletablewaslaidfortwo。
DaphneWingwentuptoit，holdinginonehandthemilk-canandintheotherashortknife，withwhichshehadevidentlybeenopeningoysters。Placingtheknifeonthetable，sheturnedroundtoGyp。
Herfacewasdeeppink，andsowasherneck，whichranV-shapeddownintothefoldsofherkimono。Hereyes，roundassaucers，metGyp’s，fell，metthemagain。Shesaid:”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，Iamglad！Ireallyam。Iwantedyousomuchtoseemyroom——doyoulikeit？HowDIDyouknowwhereIwas？”
Shelookeddownandadded:”IthinkI’dbettertellyou。Mr。
Fiorsencamehere，and，sincethen，I’veseenhimatCountRosek’s——
and——and——””Yes；butdon’ttroubletotellme，please。”
DaphneWinghurriedon。”Ofcourse，I’mquitemistressofmyselfnow。”Then，allatonce，theuneasywoman-of-the-worldmaskdroppedfromherfaceandsheseizedGyp’shand。”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，Ishallneverbelikeyou！”
Withalittleshiver，Gypsaid:”Ihopenot。”Herpriderushedupinher。Howcouldsheaskthisgirlanything？Shechokedbackthatfeeling，andsaidstonily:”Doyouremembermybaby？No，ofcourse；youneversawher。HEandCountRosekhavejusttakenherawayfromme。”
DaphneWingconvulsivelysqueezedthehandofwhichshehadpossessedherself。”Oh，whatawickedthing！When？””Yesterdayafternoon。””Oh，IAMgladIhaven’tseenhimsince！Oh，IDOthinkthatwaswicked！Aren’tyoudreadfullydistressed？”TheleastofsmilesplayedonGyp’smouth。DaphneWingburstforth:”D’youknow——I
think——Ithinkyourself-controlissomethingawful。Itfrightensme。Ifmybabyhadlivedandbeenstolenlikethat，Ishouldhavebeenhalfdeadbynow。”
Gypansweredstonilyasever:”Yes；Iwantherback，andIwondered——”
DaphneWingclaspedherhands。”Oh，IexpectIcanmakehim——”Shestopped，confused，thenaddedhastily:”Areyousureyoudon’tmind？””Ishouldn’tmindifhehadfiftyloves。Perhapshehas。”
DaphneWingutteredalittlegasp；thenherteethcamedownratherviciouslyonherlowerlip。”ImeanhimtodowhatIwantnow，notwhathewantsme。That’stheonlywaywhenyoulove。Oh，don’tsmilelikethat，please；youdomakemefeelso——uncertain。””Whenareyougoingtoseehimnext？”
DaphneWinggrewverypink。”Idon’tknow。Hemightbecomingintolunch。Yousee，it’snotasifhewereastranger，isit？”Castinguphereyesalittle，sheadded:”Hewon’tevenletmespeakyourname；itmakeshimmad。
That’swhyI’msurehestilllovesyou；only，hisloveissofunny。”And，seizingGyp’shand:”Ishallneverforgethowgoodyouweretome。Idohopeyou——youlovesomebodyelse。”Gyppressedthosedamp，clingingfingers，andDaphneWinghurriedon:”I’msureyourbaby’sadarling。Howyoumustbesuffering！Youlookquitepale。Butitisn’tanygoodsuffering。Ilearnedthat。”
Hereyeslightedonthetable，andafaintruefulnesscameintothem，asifsheweregoingtoaskGyptoeattheoysters。
Gypbentforwardandputherlipstothegirl’sforehead。”Good-bye。Mybabywouldthankyouifsheknew。”
Andsheturnedtogo。Sheheardasob。DaphneWingwascrying；
then，beforeGypcouldspeak，shestruckherselfonthethroat，andsaid，inastrangledvoice:”Tha——that’sidiotic！I——Ihaven’tcriedsince——since，youknow。
I——I’mperfectmistressofmyself；only，I——only——Isupposeyouremindedme——INEVERcry！”
ThosewordsandthesoundofahiccoughaccompaniedGypdownthealleytohercab。
WhenshegotbacktoBuryStreet，shefoundBettysittinginthehallwithherbonneton。Shehadnotbeensentfor，norhadanyreplycomefromNewmarket。Gypcouldnoteat，couldsettletonothing。Shewentuptoherbedroomtogetawayfromtheservants’
eyes，andwentonmechanicallywithafrockoflittleGyp’sshehadbegunonthefatalmorningFiorsenhadcomeback。Everyotherminuteshestoppedtolistentosoundsthatnevermeantanything，wentahundredtimestothewindowtolookatnothing。Betty，too，hadcomeupstairs，andwasinthenurseryopposite；Gypcouldhearhermovingaboutrestlesslyamongherhouseholdgods。Presently，thosesoundsceased，and，peeringintotheroom，shesawthestoutwomanstillinherbonnet，sittingonatrunk，withherbackturned，utteringheavysighs。Gypstolebackintoherownroomwithasick，tremblingsensation。If——ifherbabyreallycouldnotberecoveredexceptbythatsacrifice！Ifthatcruelletterwerethelastword，andsheforcedtodecidebetweenthem！Whichwouldshegiveup？Whichfollow——herloverorherchild？
Shewenttothewindowforair——thepainaboutherheartwasdreadful。And，leaningthereagainsttheshutter，shefeltquitedizzyfromtheviolenceofastrugglethatrefusedcoherentthoughtorfeeling，andwasjustadumbpullofinstincts，bothsoterriblystrong——howterriblystrongshehadnottillthenperceived。
HereyesfellonthepicturethatremindedherofBryan；itseemednowtohavenoresemblance——none。Hewasmuchtooreal，andloved，andwanted。Lessthantwenty-fourhoursago，shehadturnedadeafeartohispleadingthatsheshouldgotohimforever。Howfunny！
Wouldshenotrushtohimnow——gowhenandwhereheliked？Ah，ifonlyshewerebackinhisarms！Nevercouldshegivehimup——
never！Buttheninherearssoundedthecooingwords，”Dearmum！”
Herbaby——thattinything——howcouldshegiveherup，andneveragainholdcloseandkissthatround，perfectlittlebody，thatgravelittledark-eyedface？
TheroarofLondoncameinthroughtheopenwindow。Somuchlife，somanypeople——andnotasoulcouldhelp！Sheleftthewindowandwenttothecottage-pianoshehadthere，outofWinton’sway。Butsheonlysatwitharmsfolded，lookingatthekeys。ThesongthatgirlhadsungatFiorsen’sconcert——songofthebrokenheart——camebacktoher。
No，no；shecouldn’t——couldn’t！Itwastoherlovershewouldcling。Andtearsrandownhercheeks。
Acabhadstoppedbelow，butnottillBettycamerushingindidshelookup。
XIV
When，tremblingallover，sheenteredthedining-room，Fiorsenwasstandingbythesideboard，holdingthechild。
HecamestraightupandputherintoGyp’sarms。”Takeher，”hesaid，”anddowhatyouwill。Behappy。”
Huggingherbaby，closetothedoorasshecouldget，Gypanswerednothing。Herheartwasinsuchatumultthatshecouldnothavespokenawordtosaveherlife；relieved，asonedyingofthirstbyunexpectedwater；grateful，bewildered，abashed，yetinstinctivelyawareofsomethingevanescentandunrealinhisaltruism。DaphneWing！Whatbargaindidthisrepresent？
Fiorsenmusthavefeltthechillofthisinstinctivevision，forhecriedout:”Yes！Youneverbelievedinme；youneverthoughtmecapableofgood！Whydidn’tyou？”
Gypbentherfaceoverherbabytohidethequiveringofherlips。”Iamsorry——very，verysorry。”
Fiorsencamecloserandlookedintoherface。”ByGod，IamafraidIshallneverforgetyou——never！”
Tearshadcomeintohiseyes，andGypwatchedthem，moved，troubled，butstilldeeplymistrusting。
Hebrushedhishandacrosshisface；andthethoughtflashedthroughher:’Hemeansmetoseethem！Ah，whatacynicalwretchI
am！’
Fiorsensawthatthoughtpass，andmutteringsuddenly:”Good-bye，Gyp！Iamnotallbad。IAMNOT！”Hetorethedooropenandwasgone。
Thatpassionate”Iamnot！”savedGypfromabreakdown。No；evenathishighestpitchofabnegation，hecouldnotforgethimself。
Relief，ifoverwhelming，isslowlyrealized；butwhen，atlast，whatshehadescapedandwhatlaybeforeherwerestaringfullineachother’sface，itseemedtoherthatshemustcryout，andtellthewholeworldofherintoxicatinghappiness。AndthemomentlittleGypwasinBetty’sarms，shesatdownandwrotetoSummerhay:”DARLING，”I’vehadafearfultime。MybabywasstolenbyhimwhileIwaswithyou。HewrotemealettersayingthathewouldgiveherbacktomeifIgaveyouup。ButIfoundIcouldn’tgiveyouup，notevenformybaby。Andthen，afewminutesago，hebroughther——
nonetheworse。TomorrowweshallallgodowntoMildenham；butverysoon，ifyoustillwantme，I’llcomewithyouwhereveryoulike。MyfatherandBettywilltakecareofmytreasuretillwecomeback；andthen，perhaps，theoldredhousewesaw——afterall。
Only——nowisthetimeforyoutodrawback。Lookintothefuture——
lookfar！Don’tletanyfoolishpity——orhonour——weighwithyou；
beutterlysure，Idobeseechyou。IcanjustbearitnowifI
knowit’sforyourgood。Butafterwardit’llbetoolate。ItwouldbetheworstmiseryofallifImadeyouunhappy。Oh，makesure——makesure！Ishallunderstand。Imeanthiswitheverybitofme。Andnow，good-night，andperhaps——good-bye。”Your”GYP。”
Shereaditoverandshivered。Didshereallymeanthatshecouldbearitifhedrewback——ifhedidlookfar，farintothefuture，anddecidedthatshewasnotworththecandle？Ah，butbetternow——
thanlater。
Sheclosedandsealedtheletter，andsatdowntowaitforherfather。Andshethought:’Whydoesonehaveaheart？Whyisthereinonesomethingsomuchtoosoft？’
Tendayslater，atMildenhamstation，holdingherfather’shand，Gypcouldscarcelyseehimforthemistbeforehereyes。Howgoodhehadbeentoherallthoselastdays，sinceshetoldhimthatshewasgoingtotaketheplunge！Notawordofremonstranceorcomplaint。”Good-bye，mylove！Takecareofyourself；wirefromLondon，andagainfromParis。”And，smilingupather，headded:”Hehasluck；
Ihadnone。”
Themistbecametears，rolleddown，fellonhisglove。”Nottoolongoutthere，Gyp！”
Shepressedherwetcheekpassionatelytohis。Thetrainmoved，but，solongasshecouldsee，shewatchedhimstandingontheplatform，wavinghisgreyhat，then，inhercorner，satdown，blindedwithtearsbehindherveil。Shehadnotcriedwhenshelefthimthedayofherfatalmarriage；shecriednowthatshewasleavinghimtogotoherincrediblehappiness。
Strange！Butherhearthadgrownsincethen。