第3章

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。