第3章

III

Towake，andhearthebirdsatearlypractise，andfeelthatwinterisover——isthereanypleasantermoment？

Thatfirstmorninginhernewhouse，Gypwokewiththesparrow，orwhateverthebirdwhichuttersthefirstcheepsandtwitters，sooneclipsedbysomuchthatismoreimportantinbird-song。ItseemedasifallthefeatheredcreaturesinLondonmustbeassembledinhergarden；andtheoldversecameintoherhead:”AlldearNature’schildrensweetLieatbrideandbridegroom’sfeet，Blessingtheirsense。

Notacreatureoftheair，Birdmelodiousorbirdfair，Beabsenthence！”

Sheturnedandlookedatherhusband。Helaywithhisheadsnoozleddownintothepillow，sothatshecouldonlyseehisthick，rumpledhair。Andashiverwentthroughher，exactlyasifastrangemanwerelyingthere。Didhereallybelongtoher，andshetohim——forgood？Andwasthistheirhouse——together？Itallseemedsomehowdifferent，moreseriousandtroubling，inthisstrangebed，ofthisstrangeroom，thatwastobesopermanent。

Carefulnottowakehim，sheslippedoutandstoodbetweenthecurtainsandthewindow。Lightwasallinconfusionyet；awaylowdownbehindthetrees，theroseofdawnstillclung。Onemightalmosthavebeeninthecountry，butforthefaint，rumorousnoisesofthetownbeginningtowake，andthatfilmofground-mistwhichveilsthefeetofLondonmornings。Shethought:”Iammistressinthishouse，havetodirectitall——seetoeverything！Andmypups！

Oh，whatdotheyeat？”

Thatwasthefirstofmanyhoursofanxiety，forshewasveryconscientious。Herfastidiousnessdesiredperfection，buthersensitivenessrefusedtodemanditofothers——especiallyservants。

Whyshouldsheharrythem？

Fiorsenhadnotthefaintestnotionofregularity。Shefoundthathecouldnotevenbegintoappreciateherstrugglesinhousekeeping。Andshewasmuchtooproudtoaskhishelp，orperhapstoowise，sincehewasobviouslyunfittogiveit。Tolivelikethebirdsoftheairwashismotto。Gypwouldhavelikednothingbetter；but，forthat，onemustnothaveahousewiththreeservants，severalmeals，twopuppy-dogs，andnogreatexperienceofhowtodealwithanyofthem。

Shespokeofherdifficultiestonooneandsufferedthemore。

WithBetty——who，bone-conservative，admittedFiorsenashardlyasshehadonceadmittedWinton——shehadtobeverycareful。Buthergreattroublewaswithherfather。Thoughshelongedtoseehim，sheliterallydreadedtheirmeeting。Hefirstcame——ashehadbeenwonttocomewhenshewasatinygirl——atthehourwhenhethoughtthefellowtowhomshenowbelongedwouldmostlikelybeout。Herheartbeat，whenshesawhimunderthetrellis。Sheopenedthedoorherself，andhungabouthimsothathisshrewdeyesshouldnotseeherface。Andshebeganatoncetotalkofthepuppies，whomshehadnamedDonandDoff。Theywereperfectdarlings；nothingwassafefromthem；herslipperswerecompletelydonefor；theyhadalreadygotintoherchina-cabinetandgonetosleepthere！Hemustcomeandseeallover。

Hookingherarmintohis，andtalkingallthetime，shetookhimup-stairsanddown，andoutintothegarden，tothestudio，ormusic-room，attheend，whichhadanentrancetoitselfontoabacklane。Thisroomhadbeenthegreatattraction。Fiorsencouldpracticethereinpeace。Wintonwentalongwithherveryquietly，makingashrewdcommentnowandthen。Atthefarendofthegarden，lookingoverthewall，downintothatnarrowpassagewhichlaybetweenitandthebackofanothergardenhesqueezedherarmsuddenlyandsaid:”Well，Gyp，whatsortofatime？”

Thequestionhadcomeatlast。”Oh，ratherlovely——insomeways。”Butshedidnotlookathim，norheather。”See，Dad！Thecatshavemadequiteapaththere！”

Wintonbithislipsandturnedfromthewall。Thethoughtofthatfellowwasbitterwithinhim。Shemeanttotellhimnothing，meanttokeepupthatlightheartedlook——whichdidn’tdeceivehimabit！”Lookatmycrocuses！It’sreallyspringtoday！”

Itwas。Evenabeeortwohadcome。Thetinyleaveshadatransparentlook，toothinasyettokeepthesunlightfrompassingthroughthem。Thepurple，delicate-veinedcrocuses，withlittleflamesoforangeblowingfromtheircentres，seemedtoholdthelightasincups。Awind，withoutharshness，swungtheboughs；adryleafortwostillrustledroundhereandthere。Andonthegrass，andinthebluesky，andonthealmond-blossomwasthefirstspringbrilliance。Gypclaspedherhandsbehindherhead。”Lovely——tofeelthespring！”

AndWintonthought:’She’schanged！’Shehadsoftened，quickened——

moredepthofcolourinher，moregravity，moreswayinherbody，moresweetnessinhersmile。But——wasshehappy？

Avoicesaid:”Ah，whatapleasure！”

Thefellowhadslunkuplikethegreatcathewas。AnditseemedtoWintonthatGyphadwinced。”Dadthinksweoughttohavedarkcurtainsinthemusic-room，Gustav。”

Fiorsenmadeabow。”Yes，yes——likeaLondonclub。”

Winton，watching，wassureofsupplicationinherface。And，forcingasmile，hesaid:”Youseemverysnughere。Gladtoseeyouagain。Gyplookssplendid。”

Anotherofthosebowshesodetested！Mountebank！Never，neverwouldhebeabletostandthefellow！Buthemustnot，wouldnot，showit。And，assoonashedecentlycould，hewent，takinghislonelywaybackthroughthisregion，ofwhichhisknowledgewasalmostlimitedtoLord’sCricket-ground，withasenseofdoubtanddesolation，anirritationmorethanevermixedwiththeresolvetobealwaysathandifthechildwantedhim。

HehadnotbeengonetenminutesbeforeAuntRosamundappeared，withacrutch-handledstickandagentlemanlylimp，forshe，too，indulgedherancestorsingout。Adesireforexclusivepossessionoftheirfriendsisnaturaltosomepeople，andthegoodladyhadnotknownhowfondshewasofherniecetillthegirlhadslippedoffintothismarriage。Shewantedherback，togoaboutwithandmakemuchof，asbefore。Andherwell-breddrawldidnotquitedisguisethisfeeling。

GypcoulddetectFiorsensubtlymimickingthatdrawl；andherearsbegantoburn。Thepuppiesaffordedadiversion——theirpoints，noses，boldness，andfood，heldthedangerinabeyanceforsomeminutes。Thenthemimicrybeganagain。WhenAuntRosamundhadtakenasomewhatsuddenleave，Gypstoodatthewindowofherdrawing-roomwiththemaskoffherface。Fiorsencameup，puthisarmroundherfrombehind，andsaidwithafiercesigh:”Aretheycomingoften——theseexcellentpeople？”

Gypdrewbackfromhimagainstthewall。”Ifyouloveme，whydoyoutrytohurtthepeoplewholovemetoo？””BecauseIamjealous。Iamjealousevenofthosepuppies。””Andshallyoutrytohurtthem？””IfIseethemtoomuchnearyou，perhapsIshall。””DoyouthinkIcanbehappyifyouhurtthingsbecausetheyloveme？”

Hesatdownanddrewherontohisknee。Shedidnotresist，butmadenotthefaintestreturntohiscaresses。Thefirsttime——theveryfirstfriendtocomeintoherownnewhome！Itwastoomuch！

Fiorsensaidhoarsely:”Youdonotloveme。Ifyoulovedme，Ishouldfeelitthroughyourlips。Ishouldseeitinyoureyes。Oh，loveme，Gyp！Youshall！”

ButtosaytoLove:”Standanddeliver！”wasnotthewaytotouchGyp。Itseemedtohermereill-bredstupidity。Shefrozeagainsthiminsoul，allthemorethatsheyieldedherbody。Whenawomanrefusesnothingtoonewhomshedoesnotreallylove，shadowsarealreadyfallingonthebride-house。AndFiorsenknewit；buthisself-controlaboutequalledthatofthetwopuppies。

Yet，onthewhole，thesefirstweeksinhernewhomewerehappy，toobusytoallowmuchroomfordoubtingorregret。SeveralimportantconcertswerefixedforMay。Shelookedforwardtothesewithintenseeagerness，andpushedeverythingthatinterferedwithpreparationintothebackground。Asthoughtomakeupforthatinstinctiverecoilfromgivingherheart，ofwhichshewasalwayssubconscious，shegavehimallheractivities，withoutcalculationorreserve。Shewasreadytoplayforhimalldayandeveryday，justasfromthefirstshehadheldherselfatthedisposalofhispassion。Tofailhiminthesewayswouldhavetarnishedheropinionofherself。Butshehadsomefreehoursinthemorning，forhehadthehabitoflyinginbedtilleleven，andwasneverreadyforpractisebeforetwelve。Inthoseearlyhoursshegotthroughherordersandhershopping——thatpursuitwhichtosomanywomenistheonlyreal”sport”——achaseoftheideal；apittingofone’stasteandknowledgeagainstthatoftheworldatlarge；asecretpassion，eveninthebeautiful，formakingoneselfandone’shousemorebeautiful。Gypneverwentshoppingwithoutthatfaintthrillrunningupanddownhernerves。Shehatedtobetouchedbystrangefingers，butnoteventhatstoppedherpleasureinturningandturningbeforelongmirrors，whilethesaleswomanorman，withadmirationatfirstcrocodilicandthengenuine，ranthetipsoffingersoverthosecurves，smoothingandpinning，andutteringtheword，”moddam。”

Onothermornings，shewouldridewithWinton，whowouldcomeforher，leavingheragainatherdooraftertheiroutings。Oneday，afterarideinRichmondPark，wherethehorse-chestnutswerejustcomingintoflower，theyhadlatebreakfastontheverandaofahotelbeforestartingforhome。Somefruit-treeswerestillinblossomjustbelowthem，andthesunlightshoweringdownfromablueskybrightenedtosilverthewindingsoftheriver，andtogoldthebuddingleavesoftheoak-trees。Winton，smokinghisafter-breakfastcigar，stareddownacrossthetopsofthosetreestowardtheriverandthewoodedfieldsbeyond。Stealingaglanceathim，Gypsaidverysoftly:”Didyoueverridewithmymother，Dad？””Onlyonce——theveryridewe’vebeento-day。Shewasonablackmare；Ihadachestnut——”Yes，inthatgroveonthelittlehill，whichtheyhadriddenthroughthatmorning，hehaddismountedandstoodbesideher。

Gypstretchedherhandacrossthetableandlaiditonhis。”Tellmeabouther，dear。Wasshebeautiful？””Yes。””Dark？Tall？””Verylikeyou，Gyp。Alittle——alittle”——hedidnotknowhowtodescribethatdifference——”alittlemoreforeign-lookingperhaps。

OneofhergrandmotherswasItalian，youknow。””Howdidyoucometoloveher？Suddenly？””Assuddenlyas”——hedrewhishandawayandlaiditontheverandarail——”asthatsuncameonmyhand。”

Gypsaidquietly，asiftoherself:”Yes；Idon’tthinkIunderstandthat——yet。”

Wintondrewbreaththroughhisteethwithasubduedhiss。”Didsheloveyouatfirstsight，too？”

Heblewoutalongpuffofsmoke。”Oneeasilybelieveswhatonewantsto——butIthinkshedid。Sheusedtosayso。””Andhowlong？””Onlyayear。”

Gypsaidverysoftly:”PoordarlingDad。”Andsuddenlysheadded:”Ican’tbeartothinkIkilledher——Ican’tbearit！”

Wintongotupinthediscomfortofthesesuddenconfidences；ablackbird，startledbythemovement，ceasedhissong。Gypsaidinahardvoice:”No；Idon’twanttohaveanychildren。””Withoutthat，Ishouldn’thavehadyou，Gyp。””No；butIdon’twanttohavethem。AndIdon’t——Idon’twanttolovelikethat。Ishouldbeafraid。”

Wintonlookedatherforalongtimewithoutspeaking，hisbrowsdrawndown，frowning，puzzled，asthoughoverhisownpast。”Love，”hesaid，”itcatchesyou，andyou’regone。Whenitcomes，youwelcomeit，whetherit’stokillyouornot。Shallwestartback，mychild？”

Whenshegothome，itwasnotquitenoon。Shehurriedoverherbathanddressing，andranouttothemusic-room。ItswallshadbeenhungwithWillesdenscrimgildedover；thecurtainsweresilver-grey；therewasadivancoveredwithsilver-and-goldstuff，andabeatenbrassfireplace。Itwasastudyinsilver，andgold，savefortwotouchesoffantasy——ascreenroundthepiano-head，coveredwithbrilliantlypaintedpeacocks’tails，andabluePersianvase，inwhichwereflowersofvarioushuesofred。

Fiorsenwasstandingatthewindowinafumeofcigarettesmoke。

Hedidnotturnround。Gypputherhandwithinhisarm，andsaid:”Sosorry，dear。Butit’sonlyjusthalf-pasttwelve。”

Hisfacewasasifthewholeworldhadinjuredhim。”Pityyoucameback！Verynice，riding，I’msure！”

Couldshenotgoridingwithherownfather？Whatinsensatejealousyandegomania！Sheturnedaway，withoutaword，andsatdownatthepiano。Shewasnotgoodatstandinginjustice——notgoodatall！Thescentofbrandy，too，wasmixedwiththefumesofhiscigarette。Drinkinthemorningwassougly——reallyhorrid！

Shesatatthepiano，waiting。Hewouldbelikethistillhehadplayedawaythefumesofhisillmood，andthenhewouldcomeandpawhershouldersandputhislipstoherneck。Yes；butitwasnotthewaytobehave，notthewaytomakeherlovehim。Andshesaidsuddenly:”Gustav；whatexactlyhaveIdonethatyoudislike？””Youhavehadafather。”

Gypsatquitestillforafewseconds，andthenbegantolaugh。Helookedsolikeasulkychild，standingthere。Heturnedswiftlyonherandputhishandoverhermouth。Shelookedupoverthathandwhichsmelledoftobacco。Herheartwasdoingthegrandecartwithinher，thiswayincompunction，thatwayinresentment。Hiseyesfellbeforehers；hedroppedhishand。”Well，shallwebegin？”shesaid。

Heansweredroughly:”No，”andwentoutintothegarden。

Gypwasleftdismayed，disgusted。Wasitpossiblethatshecouldhavetakenpartinsuchahorridlittlescene？Sheremainedsittingatthepiano，playingoverandoverasinglepassage，withoutheedingwhatitwas。

IV

Sofar，theyhadseennothingofRosekatthelittlehouse。ShewonderedifFiorsenhadpassedontohimherremark，thoughifhehad，hewouldsurelysayhehadn’t；shehadlearnedthatherhusbandspokethetruthwhenconvenient，notwhenitcausedhimpain。Aboutmusic，oranyart，however，hecouldbeimplicitlyreliedon；andhisfranknesswasappallingwhenhisnerveswereruffled。

ButatthefirstconcertshesawRosek’sunwelcomefigureontheothersideofthegangway，tworowsback。Hewastalkingtoayounggirl，whoseface，shortandbeautifullyformed，hadtheopaquetransparencyofalabaster。Withherroundblueeyesfixedonhim，andherlipsjustparted，shehadaslightlyvacantlook。

Herlaugh，too，wasjustalittlevacant。Andyetherfeaturesweresobeautiful，herhairsosmoothandfair，hercolouringsopaleandfine，hernecksowhiteandround，thepoiseofherbodysoperfectthatGypfounditdifficulttotakeherglanceaway。

Shehadrefusedheraunt’scompanionship。ItmightirritateFiorsenandaffecthisplayingtoseeherwith”thatstiffEnglishcreature。”Shewanted，too，tofeelagainthesensationsofWiesbaden。Therewouldbeakindofsacredpleasureinknowingthatshehadhelpedtoperfectsoundswhichtouchedtheheartsandsensesofsomanylisteners。Shehadlookedforwardtothisconcertsolong。Andshesatscarcelybreathing，abstractedfromconsciousnessofthoseabouther，softandstill，radiatingwarmthandeagerness。

Fiorsenlookedhisworst，asever，whenfirstcomingbeforeanaudience——cold，furtive，defensive，defiant，halfturnedaway，withthoselongfingerstighteningthescrews，touchingthestrings。Itseemedqueertothinkthatonlysixhoursagoshehadstolenoutofbedfrombesidehim。Wiesbaden！No；thiswasnotlikeWiesbaden！

Andwhenheplayedshehadnotthesameemotions。Shehadheardhimnowtoooften，knewtooexactlyhowheproducedthosesounds；

knewthattheirfireandsweetnessandnobilitysprangfromfingers，ear，brain——notfromhissoul。Norwasitpossibleanylongertodriftoffonthosecurrentsofsoundintonewworlds，tohearbellsatdawn，andthedewsofeveningastheyfell，tofeelthedivinityofwindandsunlight。TheromanceandecstasythatatWiesbadenhadsoakedherspiritcamenomore。Shewaswatchingfortheweakspots，thepassageswithwhichhehadstruggledandshehadstruggled；shewasdistractedbymemoriesofpetulance，blackmoods，andsuddencaresses。Andthenshecaughthiseye。Thelookwaslike，yethowunlike，thoselooksatWiesbaden。Ithadtheoldlove-hunger，buthadlosttheadoration，itsspiritualessence。

Andshethought:’Isitmyfault，orisitonlybecausehehasmenowtodowhathelikeswith？’Itwasallanotherdisillusionment，perhapsthegreatestyet。Butshekindledandflushedattheapplause，andlostherselfinpleasureathissuccess。Attheinterval，sheslippedoutatonce，forherfirstvisittotheartist’sroom，themysteriousenchantmentofapeepbehindthescenes。Hewascomingdownfromhislastrecall；andatsightofherhislookofboredcontemptvanished；liftingherhand，hekissedit。Gypfelthappierthanshehadsincehermarriage。Hereyesshone，andshewhispered:”Beautiful！”

Hewhisperedback:”So！Doyouloveme，Gyp？”

Shenodded。Andatthatmomentshedid，orthoughtso。

Thenpeoplebegantocome；amongstthemheroldmusic-master，MonsieurHarmost，greyandmahoganyasever，who，aftera”Merveilleux，””Tresfort”ortwotoFiorsen，turnedhisbackonhimtotalktohisoldpupil。

SoshehadmarriedFiorsen——dear，dear！Thatwasextraordinary，butextraordinary！Andwhatwasitlike，tobealwayswithhim——alittlefunny——notso？Andhowwashermusic？Itwouldbespoilednow。Ah，whatapity！No？Shemustcometohim，then；yes，comeagain。Allthetimehepattedherarm，asifplayingthepiano，andhisfingers，thathadthetouchofanangel，feltthefirmnessofherflesh，asthoughdebatingwhethershewerelettingitdeteriorate。Heseemedreallytohavemissed”hislittlefriend，”

tobegladatseeingheragain；andGyp，whonevercouldwithstandappreciation，smiledathim。Morepeoplecame。ShesawRosektalkingtoherhusband，andtheyoungalabastergirlstandingsilent，herlipsstillalittleparted，gazingupatFiorsen。A

perfectfigure，thoughrathershort；adovelikeface，whoseexquisitelyshaped，just-openedlipsseemedtobedemandingsugar-

plums。Shecouldnotbemorethannineteen。Whowasshe？

Avoicesaidalmostinherear:”Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Fiorsen？Iamfortunatetoseeyouagainatlast。”

Shewasobligedtoturn。IfGustavhadgivenheraway，onewouldneverknowitfromthisvelvet-maskedcreature，withhissuavewatchfulnessandreadycomposure，whotalkedawaysosmoothly。

Whatwasitthatshesodislikedinhim？Gyphadacuteinstincts，thenaturalintelligencedeepincertainnaturesnotoverintellectual，butwhose”feelers”aretoodelicatetobedeceived。

And，forsomethingtosay，sheasked:”Whoisthegirlyouweretalkingto，CountRosek？Herfaceissolovely。”

Hesmiled，exactlythesmileshehadsodislikedatWiesbaden；

followinghisglance，shesawherhusbandtalkingtothegirl，whoselipsatthatmomentseemedmorethanevertoaskforsugar-plums。”Ayoungdancer，DaphneWing——shewillmakeaname。Adoveflying！

Soyouadmireher，MadameGyp？”

Gypsaid，smiling:”She’sverypretty——Icanimagineherdancingbeautifully。””Willyoucomeonedayandseeher？Shehasstilltomakeherdebut。”

Gypanswered:”Thankyou。Idon’tknow。Ilovedancing，ofcourse。””Good！Iwillarrangeit。”

AndGypthought:”No，no！Idon’twanttohaveanythingtodowithyou！WhydoInotspeakthetruth？Whydidn’tIsayIhatedancing？”

Justthenabellsounded；peoplebeganhurryingaway。ThegirlcameuptoRosek。”MissDaphneWing——Mrs。Fiorsen。”

Gypputoutherhandwithasmile——thisgirlwascertainlyapicture。MissDaphneWingsmiled，too，andsaid，withtheintonationofthosewhohavebeencarefullycorrectedofanaccent:”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，howbeautifullyyourhusbandplays——doesn’the？”

Itwasnotmerelythecarefulspeechbutsomethinglackingwhentheperfectmouthmoved——spirit，sensibility，whocouldsay？AndGypfeltsorry，asatblightonaperfectflower。Withafriendlynod，sheturnedawaytoFiorsen，whowaswaitingtogoupontotheplatform。Wasitatheroratthegirlhehadbeenlooking？Shesmiledathimandslidaway。Inthecorridor，Rosek，inattendance，said:”Whynotthisevening？ComewithGustavtomyrooms。Sheshalldancetous，andwewillallhavesupper。Sheadmiresyou，MadameGyp。Shewilllovetodanceforyou。”

Gyplongedforthesimplebrutalitytosay:”Idon’twanttocome。

Idon’tlikeyou！”Butallshecouldmanagewas:”Thankyou。I——IwillaskGustav。”

Onceinherseatagain，sherubbedthecheekthathisbreathhadtouched。Agirlwassingingnow——oneofthosefacesthatGypalwaysadmired，reddish-goldhair，blueeyes——theveryantithesisofherself——andthesongwas”TheBensofJura，”thatstrangeoutpouringfromaheartbrokenbylove:”Andmyheartreftofitsownsun——”

Tearsroseinhereyes，andtheshiverofsomeverydeepresponsepassedthroughher。WhatwasitDadhadsaid:”Lovecatchesyou，andyou’regone！”

She，whowastheresultoflovelikethat，didnotwanttolove！

Thegirlfinishedsinging。Therewaslittleapplause。Yetshehadsungbeautifully；andwhatmorewonderfulsongintheworld？Wasittootragic，toopainful，toostrange——not”pretty”enough？Gypfeltsorryforher。Herheadachednow。Shewouldsohavelikedtoslipawaywhenitwasallover。Butshehadnottheneedfulrudeness。ShewouldhavetogothroughwiththiseveningatRosek’sandbegay。Andwhynot？Whythisshadowovereverything？

Butitwasnonewsensation，thatofhavingenteredbyherownfreewillonalifewhich，foralleffort，wouldnotgiveherafeelingofanchorageorhome。Ofherownaccordshehadsteppedintothecage！

OnthewaytoRosek’srooms，shedisguisedfromFiorsenherheadacheanddepression。Hewasinoneofhisboy-out-of-schoolmoods，elatedbyapplause，mimickingheroldmaster，theidolatriesofhisworshippers，Rosek，thegirldancer’supturnedexpectantlips。AndheslippedhisarmroundGypinthecab，crushingheragainsthimandsniffingathercheekasifshehadbeenaflower。

Rosekhadthefirstfloorofanold-timemansioninRussellSquare。

Thesmellofincenseorsomekindredperfumewasatonceaboutone；

and，onthewallsofthedarkhall，electriclightburned，injarsofalabasterpickedupintheEast。Thewholeplacewasinfactasanctumofthecollector’sspirit。Itsownerhadapassionforblack——thewalls，divans，picture-frames，evensomeofthetilingswereblack，withglimmeringsofgold，ivory，andmoonlight。Onaroundblacktabletherestoodagoldenbowlfilledwithmoonlight-

colouredvelvety”palm”and”honesty”；fromablackwallgleamedouttheivorymaskofafaun’sface；fromadarknichethelittlesilverfigureofadancinggirl。Itwasbeautiful，butdeathly。

AndGyp，thoughexcitedalwaysbyanythingnew，keenlyalivetoeverysortofbeauty，feltalongingforairandsunlight。Itwasarelieftogetclosetooneoftheblack-curtainedwindows，andseethewesteringsunshowerwarmthandlightonthetreesoftheSquaregardens。ShewasintroducedtoaMr。andMrs。Gallant，adark-faced，cynical-lookingmanwithclever，maliciouseyes，andoneofthoselargecornucopiasofwomenwithavidbluestares。Thelittledancerwasnotthere。Shehad”gonetoputonnothing，”

Rosekinformedthem。

HetookGyptheroundofhistreasures，scarabs，Ropsdrawings，death-masks，Chinesepictures，andqueeroldflutes，withanairofdisplayingthemforthefirsttimetoonewhocouldtrulyappreciate。Andshekeptthinkingofthatsaying，”Unetechniquemerveilleuse。”Herinstinctapprehendedtherefinedbone-

viciousnessofthisplace，wherenothing，saveperhapstaste，wouldbesacred。Itwasherfirstglimpseintothatgilt-edgedbohemia，whencethegenerosities，theelans，thestrugglesofthetruebohemiaareasrigidlyexcludedasfromthesphereswherebishopsmoved。Butshetalkedandsmiled；andnoonecouldhavetoldthathernerveswerecrispingasifatcontactwithacorpse。Whileshowingherthosealabasterjars，herhosthadlaidhishandsoftlyonherwrist，andintakingitaway，helethisfingers，withatouchsofterthanakitten’spaw，rippleovertheskin，thenputthemtohislips。Ah，thereitwas——the——theTECHNIQUE！A

desperatedesiretolaughseizedher。Andhesawit——oh，yes，hesawit！Hegaveheronelook，passedthatsamehandoverhissmoothface，and——behold！——itshowedasbefore，unmortified，unconscious。Adeadlylittleman！

Whentheyreturnedtothesalon，asitwascalled，MissDaphneWinginablackkimono，whenceherfaceandarmsemergedmorelikealabasterthanever，wassittingonadivanbesideFiorsen。SheroseatonceandcameacrosstoGyp。”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen”——whydideverythingshesaidbeginwith”Oh”——”isn’tthisroomlovely？It’sperfectfordancing。Ionlybroughtcream，andflame-colour；theygosobeautifullywithblack。”

ShethrewbackherkimonoforGyptoinspectherdress——agirdledcream-colouredshift，whichmadeherivoryarmsandneckseemmorethaneverdazzling；andhermouthopened，asifforasugar-plumofpraise。Then，loweringhervoice，shemurmured:”Doyouknow，I’mratherafraidofCountRosek。””Why？””Oh，Idon’tknow；he’ssocritical，andsmooth，andhecomesupsoquietly。Idothinkyourhusbandplayswonderfully。Oh，Mrs。

Fiorsen，youarebeautiful，aren’tyou？”Gyplaughed。”Whatwouldyoulikemetodancefirst？AwaltzofChopin’s？””Yes；IloveChopin。””ThenIshall。Ishalldanceexactlywhatyoulike，becauseIdoadmireyou，andI’msureyou’reawfullysweet。Oh，yes；youare；I

canseethat！AndIthinkyourhusband’sawfullyinlovewithyou。

Ishouldbe，ifIwereaman。Youknow，I’vebeenstudyingfiveyears，andIhaven’tcomeoutyet。ButnowCountRosek’sgoingtobackme，Iexpectit’llbeverysoon。Willyoucometomyfirstnight？MothersaysI’vegottobeawfullycareful。Sheonlyletmecomethiseveningbecauseyouweregoingtobehere。Wouldyoulikemetobegin？”

SheslidacrosstoRosek，andGypheardhersay:”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsenwantsmetobegin；aChopinwaltz，please。Theonethatgoeslikethis。”

Rosekwenttothepiano，thelittledancertothecentreoftheroom。GypsatdownbesideFiorsen。

Rosekbeganplaying，hiseyesfixedonthegirl，andhismouthloosenedfromcompressioninasweetishsmile。MissDaphneWingwasstandingwithherfinger-tipsjoinedatherbreast——aperfectstatueofebonyandpalestwax。Suddenlysheflungawaytheblackkimono。AthrillsweptGypfromheadtofoot。SheCOULDdance——

thatcommonlittlegirl！Everymovementofherround，sinuousbody，ofherbarelimbs，hadtheecstasyofnaturalgenius，controlledbythequiveringbalanceofareallyfinetraining。”A

doveflying！”Soshewas。Herfacehadlostitsvacancy，orratheritsvacancyhadbecomedivine，havingthatlook——notlostbutgonebefore——whichdancedemands。Yes，shewasagem，evenifshehadacommonsoul。TearscameupinGyp’seyes。Itwassolovely——likeadove，whenitflingsitselfupinthewind，breastingonup，up——wingsbentback，poised。Abandonment，freedom——chastened，shaped，controlled！

When，afterthedance，thegirlcameandsatdownbesideher，shesqueezedherhotlittlehand，butthecaresswasforherart，notforthismoistlittlepersonwiththelipsavidofsugar-plums。”Oh，didyoulikeit？I’msoglad。ShallIgoandputonmyflame-colour，now？”

Themomentshewasgone，commentbrokeoutfreely。ThedarkandcynicalGallantthoughtthegirl’sdancinglikeacertainNapierkowskawhomhehadseeninMoscow，withoutherfire——thetouchofpassionwouldhavetobesupplied。Shewantedlove！

Love！AndsuddenlyGypwasbackintheconcert-hall，listeningtothatothergirlsingingthesongofabrokenheart。”Thykiss，dearlove——

Likewatercressgatheredfreshfromcoolstreams。”

Love！inthisabode——offauns’heads，deepcushions，silverdancinggirls！Love！Shehadasuddensenseofdeepabasement。Whatwasshe，herself，butjustafeastforaman’ssenses？Herhome，whatbutaplacelikethis？MissDaphneWingwasbackagain。Gyplookedatherhusband’sfacewhileshewasdancing。Hislips！Howwasitthatshecouldseethatdisturbanceinhim，andnotcare？

Ifshehadreallylovedhim，toseehislipslikethatwouldhavehurther，butshemighthaveunderstoodperhaps，andforgiven。Nowsheneitherquiteunderstoodnorquiteforgave。

Andthatnight，whenhekissedher，shemurmured:”Wouldyouratheritwerethatgirl——notme？””Thatgirl！Icouldswallowheratadraft。Butyou，myGyp——I

wanttodrinkforever！”

Wasthattrue？IFshehadlovedhim——howgoodtohear！

V

Afterthis，Gypwasdailymoreandmoreincontactwithhighbohemia，thatcuriouscompositesectionofsocietywhichembracestheneckofmusic，poetry，andthedrama。Shewasasuccess，butsecretlyshefeltthatshedidnotbelongtoit，nor，intruth，didFiorsen，whowasmuchtoogenuineabohemian，andartist，andmockedattheGallantsandeventheRoseksofthislife，ashemockedatWinton，AuntRosamund，andtheirworld。LifewithhimhadcertainlyoneeffectonGyp；itmadeherfeellessandlessapartofthatoldorthodox，well-bredworldwhichshehadknownbeforeshemarriedhim；buttowhichshehadconfessedtoWintonshehadneverfeltthatshebelonged，sincesheknewthesecretofherbirth。Shewas，intruth，muchtooimpressionable，tooavidofbeauty，andperhapstoonaturallycriticaltoacceptthedictatesoftheirfact-and-form-governedroutine；only，ofherownaccord，shewouldneverhavehadinitiativeenoughtostepoutofitscircle。Loosenedfromthoseroots，unabletoattachherselftothisnewsoil，andnotspirituallyleaguedwithherhusband，shewasmoreandmorelonely。HeronlytrulyhappyhourswerethosespentwithWintonoratherpianoorwithherpuppies。Shewasalwayswonderingatwhatshehaddone，longingtofindthedeep，thesufficientreasonforhavingdoneit。Butthemoreshesoughtandlonged，thedeepergrewherbewilderment，herfeelingofbeinginacage。Oflate，too，anotherandmoredefiniteuneasinesshadcometoher。

Shespentmuchtimeinhergarden，wheretheblossomshadalldropped，lilacwasover，acaciascomingintobloom，andblackbirdssilent。

Winton，who，bycarefulexperiment，hadfoundthatfromhalf-pastthreetosixtherewaslittleornochanceofstumblingacrosshisson-in-law，cameinnearlyeverydayforteaandaquietcigaronthelawn。HewassittingtherewithGyponeafternoon，whenBetty，whousurpedthefunctionsofparlour-maidwheneverthewhimmovedher，broughtoutacardonwhichwereprintedthewords，”MissDaphneWing。””Bringherout，please，Bettydear，andsomefreshtea，andbutteredtoast——plentyofbutteredtoast；yes，andthechocolates，andanyothersweetsthereare，Bettydarling。”

Betty，withthatexpressionwhichalwayscameoverherwhenshewascalled”darling，”withdrewacrossthegrass，andGypsaidtoherfather:”It’sthelittledancerItoldyouof，Dad。Nowyou’llseesomethingperfect。Only，she’llbedressed。It’sapity。”

Shewas。Theoccasionhadevidentlyexercisedherspirit。Inwarmivory，shroudedbyleaf-greenchiffon，withagirdleoftinyartificialleaves，andalightlycoveredheadencircledbyothergreenleaves，shewassomewhatlikeanymphpeeringfromabower。

Ifrathertooarresting，itwascharming，and，afterall，nofrockcouldquitedisguisethebeautyofherfigure。Shewasevidentlynervous。”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，Ithoughtyouwouldn’tmindmycoming。Ididsowanttoseeyouagain。CountRoseksaidhethoughtImight。It’sallfixedformycoming-out。Oh，howdoyoudo？”AndwithlipsandeyesopeningatWinton，shesatdowninthechairheplacedforher。Gyp，watchinghisexpression，feltinclinedtolaugh。Dad，andDaphneWing！Andthepoorgirlsoevidentlyanxioustomakeagoodimpression！Presentlysheasked:”HaveyoubeendancingatCountRosek’sagainlately？””Oh，yes，haven’tyou——didn’tyou——I——”Andshestopped。

ThethoughtflashedthroughGyp，’SoGustav’sbeenseeingher，andhasn’ttoldme！’Butshesaidatonce:”Ah，yes，ofcourse；Iforgot。Whenisthenightofyourcoming-

out？””NextFridayweek。Fancy！TheOctagon。Isn’titsplendid？

They’vegivenmesuchagoodengagement。IdosowantyouandMr。

Fiorsentocome，though！”

Gyp，smiling，murmured:”Ofcoursewewill。Myfatherlovesdancing，too；don’tyou，Dad？”

Wintontookhiscigarfromhismouth。”Whenit’sgood，”hesaid，urbanely。”Oh，mineISgood；isn’tit，Mrs。Fiorsen？Imean，IHAVEworked——

eversinceIwasthirteen，youknow。Isimplyloveit。IthinkYOUwoulddancebeautifully，Mrs。Fiorsen。You’vegotsuchaperfectfigure。Isimplylovetoseeyouwalk。”

Gypflushed，andsaid:”Dohaveoneofthese，MissWing——they’vegotwholeraspberriesinside。”

Thelittledancerputoneinhermouth。”Oh，butpleasedon’tcallmeMissWing！Iwishyou’dcallmeDaphne。Mr。Fior——everybodydoes。”

Consciousofherfather’sface，Gypmurmured:”It’salovelyname。Won’tyouhaveanother？Theseareapricot。””They’reperfect。Youknow，myfirstdressisgoingtobeallorange-blossom；Mr。Fiorsensuggestedthat。ButIexpecthetoldyou。Perhapsyousuggesteditreally；didyou？”Gypshookherhead。”CountRoseksaystheworldiswaitingforme——”Shepausedwithasugar-plumhalfwaytoherlips，andaddeddoubtfully:”Doyouthinkthat’strue？”

Gypansweredwithasoft:”Ihopeso。””HesaysI’msomethingnew。Itwouldbenicetothinkthat。Hehasgreattaste；sohasMr。Fiorsen，hasn’the？”

Consciousofthecompressioninthelipsbehindthesmokeofherfather’scigar，andwithasuddenlongingtogetupandwalkaway，Gypnodded。

Thelittledancerplacedthesweetinhermouth，andsaidcomplacently:”Ofcoursehehas；becausehemarriedyou。”

Then，seemingtogrowconsciousofWinton’seyesfixedsointentlyonher，shebecameconfused，swallowedhastily，andsaid:”Oh，isn’titlovelyhere——likethecountry！I’mafraidImustgo；

it’smypractice-time。It’ssoimportantformenottomissanynow，isn’tit？”Andsherose。

Wintongotup，too。Gypsawthegirl’seyes，lightingonhisrigidhand，growroundandrounder；andfromher，walkingpastthesideofthehouse，thecarefulvoicefloatedback:”Oh，Idohope——”Butwhat，couldnotbeheard。

Sinkingbackinherchair，Gypsatmotionless。Beesweremurmurousamongherflowers，pigeonsmurmurousamongthetrees；thesunlightwarmedherknees，andherstretched-outfeetthroughtheopenworkofherstockings。Themaid’slaughter，thedeliciousgrowlingofthepuppiesatplayinthekitchencamedriftingdownthegarden，withthedistantcryofamilkmanuptheroad。Allwasverypeaceful。Butinherheartweresuchcurious，baffledemotions，suchstrange，tangledfeelings。Thismomentofenlightenmentregardingthemeasureofherhusband’sfranknesscamecloseontheheelsofthemomentfatehadchosenforanotherrevelation，forclinchingwithinherafearfeltforweekspast。ShehadsaidtoWintonthatshedidnotwanttohaveachild。Inthoseconsciousthattheirbirthhascauseddeathoreventoogreatsuffering，thereissometimesthishostileinstinct。ShehadnoteventheconsolationthatFiorsenwantedchildren；sheknewthathedidnot。

Andnowshewassureonewascoming。Butitwasmorethanthat。

Shehadnotreached，andknewshecouldnotreach，thatpointofspirit-unionwhichalonemakesmarriagesacred，andthesacrificesdemandedbymotherhoodajoy。Shewasfairlycaughtinthewebofherfoolishandpresumptuousmistake！Sofewmonthsofmarriage——

andsosurethatitwasafailure，sohopelessforthefuture！Inthelightofthisnewcertainty，itwasterrifying。Ahard，naturalfactisneededtobringayearningandbewilderedspirittoknowledgeofthetruth。Disillusionmentisnotwelcometoawoman’sheart；thelesswelcomewhenitisdisillusionmentwithselfasmuchaswithanother。Hergreatdedication——herschemeoflife！Shehadbeengoingto——what？——saveFiorsenfromhimself！Itwaslaughable。Shehadonlylostherself。Alreadyshefeltinprison，andbyachildwouldbeallthemorebound。Tosomewomen，theknowledgethatathingmustbebringsassuagementofthenerves。Gypwastheoppositeofthose。Toforceherwasthewaytostiverupeverycontraryemotion。Shemightwillherselftoacquiesce，but——onecannotchangeone’snature。

Andso，whilethepigeonscooedandthesunlightwarmedherfeet，shespentthebitterestmomentsofherlife——sofar。Pridecametoherhelp。Shehadmadeamiserablemessofit，butnoonemustknow——certainlynotherfather，whohadwarnedhersodesperately！

Shehadmadeherbed，andshewouldhavetolieonit。

WhenWintoncameback，hefoundhersmiling，andsaid:”Idon’tseethefascination，Gyp。””Don’tyouthinkherfacereallyratherperfect？””Common。””Yes；butthatdropsoffwhenshe’sdancing。”

Wintonlookedatherfromunderhalf-closedeyelids。”Withherclothes？WhatdoesFiorsenthinkofher？”

Gypsmiled。”Doeshethinkofher？Idon’tknow。”

Shecouldfeelthewatchfultighteningofhisface。Andsuddenlyhesaid:”DaphneWing！ByGeorge！”

Thewordswereamasterpieceofresentmentanddistrust。Hisdaughterinperilfrom——suchasthat！

AfterhewasgoneGypsatontillthesunhadquitevanishedandthedewwasstealingthroughherthinfrock。Shewouldthinkofanything，anybodyexceptherself！Tomakeothershappywasthewaytobehappy——orsotheysaid。Shewouldtry——musttry。Betty——sostout，andwiththatrheumatisminherleg——didsheeverthinkofherself？OrAuntRosamund，withherperpetualrescuingsoflostdogs，lamehorses，andpennilessmusicians？AndDad，forallhisman-of-the-worldways，washenotalwaysdoinglittlethingsforthemenofhisoldregiment，alwaysthinkingofher，too，andwhathecoulddotogiveherpleasure？Toloveeverybody，andbringthemhappiness！Wasitnotpossible？Only，peoplewerehardtolove，differentfrombirdsandbeastsandflowers，tolovewhichseemednaturalandeasy。

Shewentuptoherroomandbegantodressfordinner。Whichofherfrocksdidhelikebest？Thepale，low-cutamber，orthatwhite，softone，withthecoffee-dippedlace？Shedecidedonthelatter。Scrutinizinghersupple，slenderimageintheglass，ashudderwentthroughher。Thatwouldallgo；shewouldbelikethosewomentakingcarefulexerciseinthestreets，whomadeherwonderattheirhardihoodinshowingthemselves。Itwasn’tfairthatonemustbecomeunsightly，offensivetotheeye，inordertobringlifeintotheworld。Somewomenseemedproudtobelikethat。Howwasthatpossible？Shewouldneverdaretoshowherselfinthedayscoming。

Shefinisheddressingandwentdownstairs。Itwasnearlyeight，andFiorsenhadnotcomein。Whenthegongwasstruck，sheturnedfromthewindowwithasigh，andwentintodinner。Thatsighhadbeenrelief。Sheateherdinnerwiththetwopupsbesideher，sentthemoff，andsatdownatherpiano。SheplayedChopin——studies，waltzes，mazurkas，preludes，apolonaiseortwo。AndBetty，whohadaweaknessforthatcomposer，satonachairbythedoorwhichpartitionedoffthebackpremises，havingopeneditalittle。Shewishedshecouldgoandtakeapeepather”pretty”inherwhitefrock，withthecandle-flamesoneachside，andthoselovelyliliesinthevasecloseby，smellingbeautiful。Andoneofthemaidscomingtoonear，sheshooedherangrilyaway。

Itgrewlate。Thetrayhadbeenbroughtup；themaidshadgonetobed。Gyphadlongstoppedplaying，hadturnedout，readytogoup，and，bytheFrenchwindow，stoodgazingoutintothedark。Howwarmitwas——warmenoughtodrawforththescentofthejessaminealongthegardenwall！Notastar。TherealwaysseemedsofewstarsinLondon。Asoundmadeherswinground。Somethingtallwasoverthereinthedarkness，bytheopendoor。Sheheardasigh，andcalledout，frightened:”Isthatyou，Gustav？”

Hespokesomewordsthatshecouldnotunderstand。Shuttingthewindowquickly，shewenttowardhim。Lightfromthehalllituponesideofhisfaceandfigure。Hewaspale；hiseyesshonestrangely；hissleevewasallwhite。Hesaidthickly:”Littleghost！”andthensomewordsthatmustbeSwedish。ItwasthefirsttimeGyphadevercometoclosequarterswithdrunkenness。Andherthoughtwassimply:’Howawfulifanybodyweretosee——howawful！’Shemadearushtogetintothehallandlockthedoorleadingtothebackregions，buthecaughtherfrock，rippingthelacefromherneck，andhisentangledfingersclutchedhershoulder。Shestoppeddead，fearingtomakeanoiseorpullhimover，andhisotherhandclutchedherothershoulder，sothathestoodsteadyinghimselfbyher。Whywasshenotshocked，smittentothegroundwithgriefandshameandrage？Sheonlyfelt:”WhatamItodo？Howgethimupstairswithoutanyoneknowing？”Andshelookedupintohisface——itseemedtohersopatheticwithitsshiningeyesanditsstaringwhitenessthatshecouldhaveburstintotears。Shesaidgently:”Gustav，it’sallright。Leanonme；we’llgoup。”

Hishands，thatseemedtohavenopowerorpurpose，touchedhercheeks，mechanicallycaressing。Morethandisgust，shefeltthatawfulpity。Puttingherarmroundhiswaist，shemovedwithhimtowardthestairs。Ifonlynooneheard；ifonlyshecouldgethimquietlyup！Andshemurmured:”Don’ttalk；you’renotwell。Leanonmehard。”

Heseemedtomakeabigeffort；hislipspuffedout，andwithanexpressionofpridethatwouldhavebeencomicifnotsotragic，hemutteredsomething。

Holdinghimclosewithallherstrength，asshemighthaveheldonedesperatelyloved，shebegantomount。Itwaseasierthanshehadthought。Onlyacrossthelandingnow，intothebedroom，andthenthedangerwouldbeover。Done！Hewaslyingacrossthebed，andthedoorshut。Then，foramoment，shegavewaytoafitofshiveringsoviolentthatshecouldhearherteethchatteringyetcouldnotstopthem。Shecaughtsightofherselfinthebigmirror。Herprettylacewasalltorn；hershoulderswereredwherehishandshadgrippedher，holdinghimselfup。Shethrewoffherdress，putonawrapper，andwentuptohim。Hewaslyinginasortofstupor，andwithdifficultyshegothimtositupandleanagainstthebed-rail。Takingoffhistieandcollar，sherackedherbrainsforwhattogivehim。Salvolatile！Surelythatmustberight。Itbroughthimtohimself，sothatheeventriedtokissher。Atlasthewasinbed，andshestoodlookingathim。Hiseyeswereclosed；hewouldnotseeifshegavewaynow。Butshewouldnotcry——shewouldnot。Onesobcame——butthatwasall。

Well，therewasnothingtobedonenowbutgetintobedtoo。Sheundressed，andturnedoutthelight。Hewasinastertoroussleep。

Andlyingthere，witheyeswideopen，staringintothedark，asmilecameonherlips——averystrangesmile！Shewasthinkingofallthosepreposterousyoungwivesshehadreadof，who，blushing，trembling，murmurintotheearsoftheiryounghusbandsthatthey”havesomething——somethingtotellthem！”

VI

LookingatFiorsen，nextmorning，stillsunkinheavysleep，herfirstthoughtwas:’Helooksexactlythesame。’And，suddenly，itseemedqueertoherthatshehadnotbeen，andstillwasnot，disgusted。Itwasalltoodeepfordisgust，andsomehow，toonatural。Shetookthisnewrevelationofhisunbridledwayswithoutresentment。Besides，shehadlongknownofthistasteofhis——onecannotdrinkbrandyandnotbetrayit。

Shestolenoiselesslyfrombed，noiselesslygathereduphisbootsandclothesalltumbledontoachair，andtookthemforthtothedressing-room。Theresheheldthegarmentsuptotheearlylightandbrushedthem，then，noiseless，stolebacktobed，withneedleandthreadandherlace。Noonemustknow；notevenhemustknow。

Forthemomentshehadforgottenthatotherthingsoterrificallyimportant。Itcamebacktoher，verysudden，verysickening。Solongasshecouldkeepitsecret，nooneshouldknowthateither——

heleastofall。

Themorningpassedasusual；butwhenshecametothemusic-roomatnoon，shefoundthathehadgoneout。ShewasjustsittingdowntolunchwhenBetty，withthebroadsmilewhichprevailedonhermoon-

facewhensomeonehadtickledtherightsideofher，announced:”CountRosek。”

Gypgotup，startled。”SaythatMr。Fiorsenisnotin，Betty。But——butaskifhewillcomeandhavesomelunch，andgetabottleofhockup，please。”

Inthefewsecondsbeforehervisitorappeared，Gypexperiencedthesortofexcitementonehasenteringafieldwhereabullisgrazing。

ButnotevenhisseverestcriticscouldaccuseRosekofwantoftact。HehadhopedtoseeGustav，butitwascharmingofhertogivehimlunch——agreatdelight！

Heseemedtohaveputoff，asifforherbenefit，hiscorsets，andsome，atallevents，ofhisoffendinglooks——seemedsimpler，moregenuine。Hisfacewasslightlybrowned，asif，foronce，hehadbeentakinghisdueofairandsun。Hetalkedwithoutcynicalsubmeanings，wasmostappreciativeofher”charminglittlehouse，”

andevenshowedsomewarmthinhissayingsaboutartandmusic。

Gyphadneverdislikedhimless。Butherinstinctswereonthewatch。Afterlunch，theywentoutacrossthegardentoseethemusic-room，andhesatdownatthepiano。Hehadthedeep，caressingtouchthatliesinfingersofsteelworkedbyarealpassionfortone。Gypsatonthedivanandlistened。Shewasoutofhissightthere；andshelookedathim，wondering。HewasplayingSchumann’sChildMusic。Howcouldonewhoproducedsuchfreshidyllicsoundshavesinisterintentions？Andpresentlyshesaid:”CountRosek！””Madame？””WillyoupleasetellmewhyyousentDaphneWinghereyesterday？””Isendher？””Yes。”

Butinstantlysheregrettedhavingaskedthatquestion。Hehadswungroundonthemusic-stoolandwaslookingfullather。Hisfacehadchanged。”Sinceyouaskme，IthoughtyoushouldknowthatGustavisseeingagooddealofher。”

Hehadgiventheexactanswershehaddivined。”DoyouthinkImindthat？”

Aflickerpassedoverhisface。Hegotupandsaidquietly:”Iamgladthatyoudonot。””Whyglad？”

She，too，hadrisen。Thoughhewaslittletallerthanherself，shewasconscioussuddenlyofhowthickandsteelyhewasbeneathhisdappergarments，andofakindofsnakywill-powerinhisface。

Herheartbeatfaster。

Hecametowardherandsaid:”IamgladyouunderstandthatitisoverwithGustav——finished——”

Hestoppeddead，seeingatoncethathehadgonewrong，andnotknowingquitewhere。Gyphadsimplysmiled。Aflushcolouredhischeeks，andhesaid:”Heisavolcanosoonextinguished。Yousee，Iknowhim。Betteryoushouldknowhim，too。Whydoyousmile？””WhyisitbetterIshouldknow？”

Hewentverypale，andsaidbetweenhisteeth:”Thatyoumaynotwasteyourtime；thereislovewaitingforyou。”

ButGypstillsmiled。”Wasitfromloveofmethatyoumadehimdrunklastnight？”

Hislipsquivered。”Gyp！”Gypturned。Butwiththemerestchangeoffront，hehadputhimselfbetweenherandthedoor。”Youneverlovedhim。Thatismyexcuse。Youhavegivenhimtoomuchalready——morethanheisworth。Ah！God！Iamtorturedbyyou；Iampossessed。”

Hehadgonewhitethroughandthroughlikeaflame，saveforhissmoulderingeyes。Shewasafraid，andbecauseshewasafraid，shestoodherground。Shouldshemakeadashforthedoorthatopenedintothelittlelaneandescapethatway？Thensuddenlyheseemedtoregaincontrol；butshecouldfeelthathewastryingtobreakthroughherdefencesbythesheerintensityofhisgaze——byakindofmesmerism，knowingthathehadfrightenedher。

Underthestrainofthisduelofeyes，shefeltherselfbeginningtosway，togetdizzy。Whetherornohereallymovedhisfeet，heseemedcomingcloserinchbyinch。Shehadahorriblefeeling——asifhisarmswerealreadyroundher。

Withaneffort，shewrenchedhergazefromhis，andsuddenlyhiscrisphaircaughthereyes。Surely——surelyitwascurledwithtongs！Akindofspasmofamusementwassetfreeinherheart，and，almostinaudibly，thewordsescapedherlips:”Unetechniquemerveilleuse！”Hiseyeswavered；heutteredalittlegasp；hislipsfellapart。Gypwalkedacrosstheroomandputherhandonthebell。Shehadlostherfear。Withoutaword，heturned，andwentoutintothegarden。Shewatchedhimcrossthelawn。Gone！

Shehadbeatenhimbytheonethingnotevenviolentpassionscanwithstand——ridicule，almostunconsciousridicule。Thenshegavewayandpulledthebellwithnervousviolence。Thesightofthemaid，inhertrimblackdressandspotlesswhiteapron，comingfromthehousecompletedherrestoration。Wasitpossiblethatshehadreallybeenfrightened，nearlyfailinginthatencounter，nearlydominatedbythatman——inherownhouse，withherownmaidsdownthereathand？Andshesaidquietly:”Iwantthepuppies，please。””Yes，ma’am。”

Overthegarden，thedaybroodedinthefirst-gatheredwarmthofsummer。Mid-Juneofafineyear。Theairwasdrowsywithhumandscent。

AndGyp，sittingintheshade，whilethepuppiesrolledandsnapped，searchedherlittleworldforcomfortandsomesenseofsafety，andcouldnotfindit；asiftherewereallroundherahotheavyfoginwhichthingslurked，andwhereshekepterectonlybyprideandthewillnottocryoutthatshewasstrugglingandafraid。

Fiorsen，leavinghishousethatmorning，hadwalkedtillhesawataxi-cab。Leaningbacktherein，withhatthrownoff，hecausedhimselftobedrivenrapidly，atrandom。Thiswasoneofhishabitswhenhismindwasnotatease——anexpensiveidiosyncrasy，ill-affordedbyapocketthathadholes。Theswiftmotionandtitillationbytheperpetualcloseshavingofothervehiclesweresedativetohim。Heneededsedativesthismorning。Towakeinhisownbedwithouttheleastrememberinghowhehadgottherewasnomorenewtohimthantomanyanothermanoftwenty-eight，butitwasnewsincehismarriage。Ifhehadrememberedevenlesshewouldhavebeenmoreatease。Buthecouldjustrecollectstandinginthedarkdrawing-room，seeingandtouchingaghostlyGypquiteclosetohim。And，somehow，hewasafraid。Andwhenhewasafraid——likemostpeople——hewasathisworst。

Ifshehadbeenlikealltheotherwomeninwhosecompanyhehadeatenpassion-fruit，hewouldnothavefeltthiscarkinghumiliation。Ifshehadbeenlikethem，atthepacehehadbeengoingsinceheobtainedpossessionofher，hewouldalreadyhave”finished，”asRosekhadsaid。Andheknewwellenoughthathehadnot”finished。”Hemightgetdrunk，mightbeloose-endedineveryway，butGypwashookedintohissenses，and，forallthathecouldnotgetnearher，intohisspirit。Herverypassivitywasherstrength，thesecretofhermagnetism。Inher，hefeltsomeofthatmysterioussentiencyofnature，which，eveninyieldingtoman’sfevers，liesapartwithafaintsmile——theuncapturablesmileofthewoodsandfieldsbydayornight，thatmakesoneachewithlonging。Hefeltinhersomeoftheunfathomable，soft，vibratingindifferenceoftheflowersandtreesandstreams，oftherocks，ofbirdsongs，andtheeternalhum，undersunshineorstar-shine。Herdark，half-smilingeyesenticedhim，inspiredanunquenchablethirst。Andhiswasoneofthosenatureswhich，encounteringspiritualdifficulty，atoncejiboff，seekanodynes，trytobandagewoundedegoismwithexcess——aspoiledchild，withthedesperationsandtheinherentpathos，thesomethingrepulsiveandthesomethinglovablethatbelongtoallsuch。Havingwishedforthismoon，andgother，henowdidnotknowwhattodowithher，kepttakinggreatbitesather，withafeelingallthetimeofgettingfurtherandfurtheraway。Atmoments，hedesiredrevengeforhisfailuretogetnearherspiritually，andwasreadytocommitfolliesofallkinds。Hewasonlykeptincontrolatallbyhiswork。Forhedidworkhard；though，eventhere，somethingwaslacking。Hehadallthequalitiesofmakinggood，exceptthemoralbackboneholdingthemtogether，whichalonecouldgivehimhisrightful——ashethought——pre-eminence。Itoftensurprisedandvexedhimtofindthatsomecontemporaryheldhigherrankthanhimself。

Threadingthestreetsinhiscab，hemused:”DidIdoanythingthatreallyshockedherlastnight？Whydidn’tIwaitforherthismorningandfindouttheworst？”Andhislipstwistedawry——fortofindouttheworstwasnothisforte。

Meditation，seekingasusualascapegoat，lightedonRosek。Likemostegoistsaddictedtowomen，hehadnotmanyfriends。Rosekwasthemostconstant。Butevenforhim，Fiorsenhadatoncethecontemptandfearthatamannaturallyuncontrolledandyetofgreaterscopehasforoneoflesstalentbutstrongerwill-power。

Hehadforhim，too，thefeelingofawaywardchildforitsnurse，mixedwiththeneedthatanartist，especiallyanexecutantartist，feelsforaconnoisseurandpatronwithwell-linedpockets。

’CursePaul！’hethought。’Hemustknow——hedoesknow——thatbrandyofhisgoesdownlikewater。Trusthim，hesawIwasgettingsilly！Hehadsomegameon。WheredidIgoafter？HowdidIgethome？’Andagain:’DidIhurtGyp？’Iftheservantshadseen——

thatwouldbetheworst；thatwouldupsetherfearfully！Andhelaughed。Thenhehadafreshaccessoffear。Hedidn’tknowher，neverknewwhatshewasthinkingorfeeling，neverknewanythingabouther。Andhethoughtangrily:’That’snotfair！Idon’thidemyselffromher。Iamasfreeasnature；Iletherseeeverything。

WhatdidIdo？Thatmaidlookedveryqueerlyatmethismorning！’

Andsuddenlyhesaidtothedriver:”BuryStreet，St。James’s。”Hecouldfindout，atallevents，whetherGyphadbeentoherfather’s。ThethoughtofWintoneverafflictedhim；andhechangedhismindseveraltimesbeforethecabreachedthatlittlestreet，butsoswiftlythathehadnottimetoalterhisinstructionstothedriver。Alightsweatbrokeoutonhisforeheadwhilehewaswaitingforthedoortobeopened。”Mrs。Fiorsenhere？””No，sir。””Notbeenherethismorning？””No，sir。”

Heshruggedawaythethoughtthatheoughttogivesomeexplanationofhisquestion，andgotintothecabagain，tellingthemantodrivetoCurzonStreet。Ifshehadnotbeento”thatAuntRosamund”eitheritwouldbeallright。Shehadnot。Therewasnooneelseshewouldgoto。And，withasighofrelief，hebegantofeelhungry，havinghadnobreakfast。HewouldgotoRosek’s，borrowthemoneytopayhiscab，andlunchthere。ButRosekwasnotin。Hewouldhavetogohometogetthecabpaid。Thedriverseemedtoeyehimqueerlynow，asthoughconceivingdoubtsaboutthefare。

Goinginunderthetrellis，Fiorsenpassedamancomingout，whoheldinhishandalongenvelopeandeyedhimaskance。

Gyp，whowassittingatherbureau，seemedtobeaddingupthecounterfoilsinhercheque-book。Shedidnotturnround，andFiorsenpaused。Howwasshegoingtoreceivehim？”Isthereanylunch？”hesaid。

Shereachedoutandrangthebell。Hefeltsorryforhimself。Hehadbeenquitereadytotakeherinhisarmsandsay:”Forgiveme，littleGyp；I’msorry！”

Bettyansweredthebell。”PleasebringupsomelunchforMr。Fiorsen。”

Heheardthestoutwomansniffasshewentout。Shewasapartofhisostracism。And，withsuddenrage，hesaid:”Whatdoyouwantforahusband——abourgeoiswhowoulddieifhemissedhislunch？”

Gypturnedroundtohimandheldouthercheque-book。”Idon’tintheleastmindaboutmeals；butIdoaboutthis。”Hereadonthecounterfoil:”Messrs。Travers&Sanborn，Tailors，Accountrendered:L5435s。

7d。””Aretheremanyofthese，Gustav？”

Fiorsenhadturnedthepeculiarwhitethatmarkeddeepinjurytohissell-esteem。Hesaidviolently:”Well，whatofthat？Abill！Didyoupayit？Youhavenobusinesstopaymybills。””Themansaidifitwasn’tpaidthistime，he’dsueyou。”Herlipsquivered。”Ithinkowingmoneyishorrible。It’sundignified。

Aretheremanyothers？Pleasetellme！””Ishallnottellyou。Whatisittoyou？””Itisalottome。Ihavetokeepthishouseandpaythemaidsandeverything，andIwanttoknowhowIstand。Iamnotgoingtomakedebts。That’shateful。”

Herfacehadahardnessthathedidnotknow。HeperceiveddimlythatshewasdifferentfromtheGypofthishouryesterday——thelasttimewhen，inpossessionofhissenses，hehadseenorspokentoher。Thenoveltyofherrevoltstirredhiminstrangeways，woundedhisself-conceit，inspiredacuriousfear，andyetexcitedhissenses。Hecameuptoher，saidsoftly:”Money！Cursemoney！Kissme！”Withacertainamazementatthesheerdistasteinherface，heheardhersay:”It’schildishtocursemoney。IwillspendalltheincomeIhave；

butIwillnotspendmore，andIwillnotaskDad。”

Heflunghimselfdowninachair。”Ho！Ho！Virtue！””No——pride。”

Hesaidgloomily:”Soyoudon’tbelieveinme。Youdon’tbelieveIcanearnasmuchasIwant——morethanyouhave——anytime？Youneverhavebelievedinme。””Ithinkyouearnnowasmuchasyouareeverlikelytoearn。””Thatiswhatyouthink！Idon’twantmoney——yourmoney！Icanliveonnothing，anytime。Ihavedoneit——often。””Hssh！”

Helookedroundandsawthemaidinthedoorway。”Please，sir，thedriversayscanhehavehisfare，ordoyouwanthimagain？Twelveshillings。”

Fiorsenstaredatheramomentinthewaythat——asthemaidoftensaid——madeyoufeellikeasilly。”No。Payhim。”

ThegirlglancedatGyp，answered:”Yes，sir，”andwentout。

Fiorsenlaughed；helaughed，holdinghissides。Itwasdrollcomingonthetopofhisassertion，toodroll！And，lookingupather，hesaid:”Thatwasgood，wasn’tit，Gyp？”

Butherfacehadnotabateditsgravity；and，knowingthatshewasevenmoreeasilytickledbytheincongruousthanhimself，hefeltagainthatcatchoffear。Somethingwasdifferent。Yes；somethingwasreallydifferent。”DidIhurtyoulastnight？”

Sheshruggedhershouldersandwenttothewindow。Helookedatherdarkly，jumpedup，andswungoutpastherintothegarden。

And，almostatonce，thesoundofhisviolin，furiouslyplayedinthemusic-room，cameacrossthelawn。

Gyplistenedwithabittersmile。Money，too！Butwhatdiditmatter？Shecouldnotgetoutofwhatshehaddone。Shecouldnevergetout。Tonighthewouldkissher；andshewouldpretenditwasallright。Andsoitwouldgoonandon！Well，itwasherownfault。Takingtwelveshillingsfromherpurse，sheputthemasideonthebureautogivethemaid。Andsuddenlyshethought:’Perhapshe’llgettiredofme。Ifonlyhewouldgettired！’Thatwasalongwaythefurthestshehadyetgone。