第5章

XIII

Thatnight，Gypsleptpeacefully，asthoughnothinghadhappened，asthoughtherewerenofutureatallbeforeher。Shewokeintomisery。Herpridewouldneverlethershowtheworldwhatshehaddiscovered，wouldforcehertokeepanunmovedfaceandliveanunmovedlife。Butthestrugglebetweenmother-instinctandrevoltwasstillgoingonwithinher。Shewasreallyafraidtoseeherbaby，andshesentwordtoBettythatshethoughtitwouldbesaferifshekeptquitequiettilltheafternoon。

Shegotupatnoonandstoledownstairs。ShehadnotrealizedhowviolentwasherstruggleoverHISchildtillshewaspassingthedooroftheroomwhereitwaslying。Ifshehadnotbeenorderedtogiveupnursing，thatstrugglewouldneverhavecome。Herheartached，butademonpressedheronandpastthedoor。Downstairsshejustpotteredround，dustingherchina，puttinginorderthebookswhich，afterhouse-cleaning，themaidhadarrangedalmosttoocarefully，sothatthefirstvolumesofDickensandThackerayfollowedeachotheronthetopshell，andthesecondvolumesfollowedeachotheronthebottomshelf。Andallthetimeshethoughtdully:’WhyamIdoingthis？WhatdoIcarehowtheplacelooks？Itisnotmyhome。Itcanneverbemyhome！’

Forlunchshedranksomebeeftea，keepingupthefictionofherindisposition。Afterthat，shesatdownatherbureautowrite。

Somethingmustbedecided！Thereshesat，herforeheadonherhand，andnothingcame——notoneword——noteventhewaytoaddresshim；justthedate，andthatwasall。Ataringofthebellshestartedup。Shecouldnotseeanybody！ButthemaidonlybroughtanotefromAuntRosamund，andthedogs，whofellfranticallyontheirmistressandinstantlybegantofightforherpossession。

Shewentonherkneestoseparatethem，andenjoinpeaceandgood-

will，andtheirlittleavidtonguesfuriouslylickedhercheeks。

Undertheeagertouchofthosewettonguesthebandroundherbrainandheartgaveway；shewasoverwhelmedwithlongingforherbaby。

Nearlyadaysinceshehadseenher——wasitpossible？Nearlyadaywithoutsightofthosesolemneyesandcrinkledtoesandfingers！

Andfollowedbythedogs，shewentupstairs。

Thehousewasinvisiblefromthemusic-room；and，spurredonbythoughtthat，untilFiorsenknewshewasback，thosetwomightbethereineachother’sarmsanymomentofthedayornight，Gypwrotethatevening:”DEARGUSTAV，——Weareback——GYP。”

Whatelseintheworldcouldshesay？Hewouldnotgetittillhewokeabouteleven。Withtheinstincttotakealltherespiteshecould，andknowingnomorethanbeforehowshewouldreceivehisreturn，shewentoutintheforenoonandwanderedaboutalldayshoppingandtryingnottothink。Returningattea-time，shewentstraightuptoherbaby，andthereheardfromBettythathehadcome，andgoneoutwithhisviolintothemusic-room。

Bentoverthechild，Gypneededallherself-control——butherself-

controlwasbecominggreat。Soon，thegirlwouldcomeflutteringdownthatdark，narrowlane；perhapsatthisveryminuteherfingersweretappingatthedoor，andhewasopeningittomurmur，”No；she’sback！”Ah，thenthegirlwouldshrink！Therapidwhispering——someothermeeting-place！Lipstolips，andthatlookonthegirl’sface；tillshehurriedawayfromtheshutdoor，inthedarkness，disappointed！Andhe，onthatsilver-and-golddivan，gnawinghismoustache，hiseyes——catlike——staringatthefire！

Andthen，perhaps，fromhisviolinwouldcomeoneofthoseswayingburstsofsound，withtearsinthem，andthewindinthem，thathadofoldbewitchedher！Shesaid:”Openthewindowjustalittle，Bettydear——it’shot。”

Thereitwas，rising，falling！Music！Whydiditsomoveoneevenwhen，asnow，itwasthevoiceofinsult！Andsuddenlyshethought:”Hewillexpectmetogooutthereagainandplayforhim。

ButIwillnot，never！”

Sheputherbabydown，wentintoherbedroom，andchangedhastilyintoateagownfortheevening，readytogodownstairs。Alittleshepherdessinchinaonthemantel-shelfattractedherattention，andshetookitinherhand。Shehadboughtitthreeandmoreyearsago，whenshefirstcametoLondon，atthebeginningofthattimeofgirl-gaietywhenalllifeseemedalongcotillion，andsheitsleader。Itscooldaintinessmadeitseemthesymbolofanotherworld，aworldwithoutdepthsorshadows，aworldthatdidnotfeel——ahappyworld！

Shehadnotlongtowaitbeforehetappedonthedrawing-roomwindow。Shegotupfromthetea-tabletolethimin。Whydofacesgazinginthroughglassfromdarknessalwayslookhungry——

searching，appealingforwhatyouhaveandtheyhavenot？Andwhileshewasundoingthelatchshethought:’WhatamIgoingtosay？Ifeelnothing！’Theardourofhisgaze，voice，handsseemedtohersofalseastobealmostcomic；evenmorecomicallyfalsehislookofdisappointmentwhenshesaid:”Pleasetakecare；I’mstillbrittle！”Thenshesatdownagainandasked:”Willyouhavesometea？””Tea！Ihaveyouback，andyouaskmeifIwillhaveteaGyp！DoyouknowwhatIhavefeltlikeallthistime？No；youdon’tknow。

Youknownothingofme——doyou？”

Asmileofsheerironyformedonherlips——withoutherknowingitwasthere。Shesaid:”HaveyouhadagoodtimeatCountRosek’s？”And，withoutherwill，againstherwill，thewordsslippedout:”I’mafraidyou’vemissedthemusic-room！”

Hisstarewavered；hebegantowalkupanddown。”Missed！Missedeverything！Ihavebeenverymiserable，Gyp。

You’venoideahowmiserable。Yes，miserable，miserable，miserable！”Witheachrepetitionofthatword，hisvoicegrewgayer。Andkneelingdowninfrontofher，hestretchedhislongarmsroundhertilltheymetbehindherwaist:”Ah，myGyp！I

shallbeadifferentbeing，now。”

AndGypwentonsmiling。Betweenthat，andstabbingthesefalserapturestotheheart，thereseemedtobenothingshecoulddo。

Themomenthishandsrelaxed，shegotupandsaid:”Youknowthere’sababyinthehouse？”

Helaughed。”Ah，thebaby！I’dforgotten。Let’sgoupandseeit。”

Gypanswered:”Yougo。”

Shecouldfeelhimthinking:’Perhapsitwillmakehernicetome！’

Heturnedsuddenlyandwent。

Shestoodwithhereyesshut，seeingthedivaninthemusic-roomandthegirl’sarmshivering。Then，goingtothepiano，shebeganwithallhermighttoplayaChopinpolonaise。

Thateveningtheydinedout，andwentto”TheTalesofHoffmann。”

Bysuchdevicesitwaspossibletoputoffalittlelongerwhatshewasgoingtodo。Duringthedrivehomeinthedarkcab，sheshrankawayintohercorner，pretendingthathisarmwouldhurtherdress；

herexasperatednerveswerealreadyoverstrung。Twiceshewasontheverypointofcryingout:”IamnotDaphneWing！”Buteachtimepridestrangledthewordsinherthroat。Andyettheywouldhavetocome。Whatotherreasoncouldshefindtokeephimfromherroom？

Butwheninhermirrorshesawhimstandingbehindher——hehadcreptintothebedroomlikeacat——fiercenesscameintoher。Shecouldseethebloodrushupinherownwhiteface，and，turningroundshesaid:”No，Gustav，goouttothemusic-roomifyouwantacompanion。”

Herecoiledagainstthefootofthebedandstaredatherhaggardly，andGyp，turningbacktohermirror，wentonquietlytakingthepinsoutofherhair。Forfullyaminuteshecouldseehimleaningthere，movinghisheadandhandsasthoughinpain。

Then，tohersurprise，hewent。Andavaguefeelingofcompunctionmingledwithhersenseofdeliverance。Shelayawakealongtime，watchingthefire-glowbrightenanddarkenontheceiling，tunesfrom”TheTalesofHoffmann”runninginherhead；thoughtsandfanciescrisscrossinginherexcitedbrain。Fallingasleepatlast，shedreamedshewasfeedingdovesoutofherhand，andoneofthemwasDaphneWing。Shewokewithastart。Thefirestillburned，andbyitslightshesawhimcrouchingatthefootofthebed，justashehadontheirwedding-night——thesamehungryyearninginhisface，andanarmoutstretched。Beforeshecouldspeak，hebegan:”Oh，Gyp，youdon’tunderstand！Allthatisnothing——itisonlyyouIwant——always。Iamafoolwhocannotcontrolhimself。

Think！It’salongtimesinceyouwentawayfromme。”

Gypsaid，inahardvoice:”Ididn’twanttohaveachild。”

Hesaidquickly:”No；butnowyouhaveityouareglad。Don’tbeunmerciful，myGyp！Itislikeyoutobemerciful。Thatgirl——itisallover——I

swear——Ipromise。”

Hishandtouchedherfootthroughthesofteiderdown。Gypthought:

’Whydoeshecomeandwhinetomelikethis？Hehasnodignity——

none！’Andshesaid:”Howcanyoupromise？Youhavemadethegirlloveyou。Isawherface。”

Hedrewhishandback。”Yousawher？””Yes。”

Hewassilent，staringather。Presentlyhebeganagain:”Sheisalittlefool。IdonotcareforthewholeofherasmuchasIcareforyouronefinger。Whatdoesitmatterwhatonedoesinthatwayifonedoesnotcare？Thesoul，notthebody，isfaithful。Amansatisfiesappetite——itisnothing。”

Gypsaid:”Perhapsnot；butitissomethingwhenitmakesothersmiserable。””Hasitmadeyoumiserable，myGyp？”

Hisvoicehadaringofhope。Sheanswered，startled:”I？No——her。””Her？Ho！Itisanexperienceforher——itislife。Itwilldohernoharm。””No；nothingwilldoanybodyharmifitgivesyoupleasure。”

Atthatbitterretort，hekeptsilencealongtime，nowandthenheavingalongsigh。Hiswordskeptsoundinginherheart:”Thesoul，notthebody，isfaithful。”Washe，afterall，morefaithfultoherthanshehadeverbeen，couldeverbe——whodidnotlove，hadneverlovedhim？Whatrighthadshetotalk，whohadmarriedhimoutofvanity，outof——what？

Andsuddenlyhesaid:”Gyp！Forgive！”

Sheutteredasigh，andturnedawayherface。

Hebentdownagainsttheeider-down。Shecouldhearhimdrawinglong，sobbingbreaths，and，inthemidstofherlassitudeandhopelessness，asortofpitystirredher。Whatdiditmatter？Shesaid，inachokedvoice:”Verywell，Iforgive。”

XIV

Thehumancreaturehaswonderfulpowerofputtingupwiththings。

GypneverreallybelievedthatDaphneWingwasofthepast。HerscepticalinstincttoldherthatwhatFiorsenmighthonestlymeantodowasverydifferentfromwhathewoulddounderstressofopportunitycarefullyputwithinhisreach。

Sinceherreturn，Rosekhadbeguntocomeagain，verycarefulnottorepeathismistake，butnotdeceivingheratall。Thoughhisself-controlwasasgreatasFiorsen’swassmall，shefelthehadnotgivenuphispursuitofher，andwouldtakeverygoodcarethatDaphneWingwasaffordedeverychanceofbeingwithherhusband。

Butprideneverletheralludetothegirl。Besides，whatgoodtospeakofher？Theywouldbothlie——Rosek，becauseheobviouslysawthemistakenlineofhisfirstattack；Fiorsen，becausehistemperamentdidnotpermithimtosufferbyspeakingthetruth。

Havingsetherselftoendure，shefoundshemustliveinthemoment，neverthinkofthefuture，neverthinkmuchofanything。

Fortunately，nothingsoconducestovacuityasababy。Shegaveherselfuptoitwithdesperation。Itwasagoodbaby，silent，somewhatunderstanding。Inwatchingitsface，andfeelingitwarmagainsther，Gypsucceededdailyingettingawayintothehypnoticstateofmothers，andcowsthatchewthecud。Butthebabysleptagreatdeal，andmuchofitstimewasclaimedbyBetty。Thosehours，andtheyweremany，Gypfounddifficult。Shehadlostinterestindressandhouseholdelegance，keepingjustenoughtosatisfyherfastidiousness；money，too，wasscarce，underthedrainofFiorsen’sirregularrequirements。Ifsheread，shebeganalmostatoncetobrood。Shewascutofffromthemusic-room，hadnotcrosseditsthresholdsinceherdiscovery。AuntRosamund’seffortstotakeherintosocietywerefruitless——alltheeffervescencewasoutofthat，and，thoughherfathercame，heneverstayedlongforfearofmeetingFiorsen。Inthisconditionofaffairs，sheturnedmoreandmoretoherownmusic，andonemorning，aftershehadcomeacrosssomecompositionsofhergirlhood，shemadearesolution。

Thatafternoonshedressedherselfwithpleasure，forthefirsttimeformonths，andsalliedforthintotheFebruaryfrost。

MonsieurEdouardHarmostinhabitedthegroundfloorofahouseintheMaryleboneRoad。Hereceivedhispupilsinalargebackroomoverlookingalittlesootygarden。AWalloonbyextraction，andofgreatvitality，hegrewoldwithdifficulty，havingasoftcornerinhisheartforwomen，andapassionfornovelty，evenfornewmusic，thatwasunappeasable。Anyfreshdiscoverywouldbringatearrollingdownhismahoganycheeksintohisclippedgreybeard，thewhileheplayed，singingwheezilytoelucidatethewondrousnovelty；ormovedhisheadupanddown，asifpumping。

WhenGypwasshownintothiswell-rememberedroomhewasseated，hisyellowfingersburiedinhisstiffgreyhair，grievingoverapupilwhohadjustgoneout。Hedidnotimmediatelyrise，butstaredhardatGyp。”Ah，”hesaid，atlast，”mylittleoldfriend！Shehascomeback！

Nowthatisgood！”And，pattingherhandhelookedintoherface，whichhadawarmthandbrillianceraretoherinthesedays。Then，makingforthemantelpiece，hetooktherefromabunchofParmaviolets，evidentlybroughtbyhislastpupil，andthrustthemunderhernose。”Takethem，takethem——theyweremeantforme。Now——howmuchhaveyouforgotten？Come！”And，seizingherbytheelbow，healmostforcedhertothepiano。”Takeoffyourfurs。Sitdown！”

AndwhileGypwastakingoffhercoat，hefixedonherhisprominentbrowneyesthatrolledeasilyintheirslightlyblood-

shotwhites，undersquaredeyelidsandcliffsofbrow。ShehadonwhatFiorsencalledher”humming-bird”blouse——darkblue，shotwithpeacockandoldrose，andlookedverywarmandsoftunderherfurcap。MonsieurHarmost’sstareseemedtodrinkherin；yetthatstarewasnotunpleasant，havinginitonlytherathersadyearningofoldmenwholovebeautyandknowthattheirtimeforseeingitisgettingshort。”Playmethe’Carnival，’”hesaid。”Weshallsoonsee！”

Gypplayed。Twicehenodded；oncehetappedhisfingersonhisteeth，andshowedherthewhitesofhiseyes——whichmeant:”Thatwillhavetobeverydifferent！”Andoncehegrunted。Whenshehadfinished，hesatdownbesideher，tookherhandinhis，and，examiningthefingers，began:”Yes，yes，soonagain！Spoilingyourself，playingforthatfiddler！Tropsympathique！Theback-bone，theback-bone——weshallimprovethat。Now，fourhoursadayforsixweeks——andweshallhavesomethingagain。”

Gypsaidsoftly:”Ihaveababy，MonsieurHarmost。”

MonsieurHarmostbounded。”What！Thatisatragedy！”Gypshookherhead。”Youlikeit？A

baby！Doesitnotsquall？””Verylittle。””MonDieu！Well，well，youarestillasbeautifulasever。Thatissomething。Now，whatcanyoudowiththisbaby？Couldyougetridofitalittle？Thisisserious。Thisisatalentindanger。

Afiddler，andababy！C’estbeaucoup！C’esttrop！”

Gypsmiled。AndMonsieurHarmost，whoseexteriorcoveredmuchsensibility，strokedherhand。”Youhavegrownup，mylittlefriend，”hesaidgravely。”Nevermind；nothingiswasted。Butababy！”Andhechirrupedhislips。”Well；courage！Weshalldothingsyet！”

Gypturnedherheadawaytohidethequiverofherlips。Thescentoflatakiatobaccothathadsoakedintothings，andofoldbooksandmusic，adarksmell，likeMonsieurHarmost’scomplexion；theoldbrowncurtains，thesootylittlebackgardenbeyond，withitscat-runs，anditsonestuntedsumachtree；thedark-brownstareofMonsieurHarmost’srollingeyesbroughtbackthattimeofhappiness，whensheusedtocomeweekafterweek，fullofgaietyandimportance，andchatteraway，baskinginhisbrusqueadmirationandinmusic，allwiththeglamourousfeelingthatshewasmakinghimhappy，andherselfhappy，andgoingtoplayveryfinelysomeday。

ThevoiceofMonsieurHarmost，softlygruff，asifheknewwhatshewasfeeling，increasedheremotion；herbreastheavedunderthehumming-birdblouse，watercameintohereyes，andmorethaneverherlipsquivered。Hewassaying:”Come，come！Theonlythingwecannotcureisage。Youwererighttocome，mychild。Musicisyourproperair。Ifthingsarenotallwhattheyoughttobe，youshallsoonforget。Inmusic——inmusic，wecangetaway。Afterall，mylittlefriend，theycannottakeourdreamsfromus——notevenawife，notevenahusbandcandothat。Come，weshallhavegoodtimesyet！”

AndGyp，withaviolenteffort，threwoffthatsuddenweakness。

Fromthosewhoserveartdevotedlythereradiatesakindofglamour。SheleftMonsieurHarmostthatafternoon，infectedbyhispassionformusic。Poeticjustice——onwhichallhomeopathyisfounded——wasatworktotryandcureherlifebyadoseofwhathadspoiledit。Tomusic，shenowgaveallthehoursshecouldspare。

Shewenttohimtwiceaweek，determiningtogeton，butuneasyattheexpense，formonetaryconditionswereevermoreembarrassed。

Athome，shepractisedsteadilyandworkedhardatcomposition。

Shefinishedseveralsongsandstudiesduringthespringandsummer，andleftstillmoreunfinished。MonsieurHarmostwastolerantoftheseefforts，seemingtoknowthatharshcriticismordisapprovalwouldcutherimpulsedown，asfrostcutsthelifeofflowers。Besides，therewasalwayssomethingfreshandindividualinherthings。Heaskedheroneday:”Whatdoesyourhusbandthinkofthese？”

Gypwassilentamoment。”Idon’tshowthemtohim。”

Sheneverhad；sheinstinctivelykeptbacktheknowledgethatshecomposed，dreadinghisruthlessnesswhenanythinggratedonhisnerves，andknowingthatabreathofmockerywouldwitherherbeliefinherself，frailenoughplantalready。Theonlyperson，besideshermaster，towhomsheconfidedhereffortswas——strangelyenough——Rosek。Buthehadsurprisedheronedaycopyingoutsomemusic，andsaidatonce:”Iknew。Iwascertainyoucomposed。Ah，doplayittome！Iamsureyouhavetalent。”Thewarmthwithwhichhepraisedthatlittle”caprice”wassurelygenuine；andshefeltsogratefulthatsheevenplayedhimothers，andthenasongforhimtosing。Fromthatday，henolongerseemedtoherodious；

sheevenbegantohaveforhimacertainfriendliness，tobealittlesorry，watchinghim，pale，trim，andsphinx-like，inherdrawing-roomorgarden，gettingnonearertothefulfilmentofhisdesire。Hehadneveragainmadelovetoher，butsheknewthatattheleastsignhewould。Hisfaceandhisinvinciblepatiencemadehimpathetictoher。WomensuchasGypcannotactivelydislikethosewhoadmirethemgreatly。SheconsultedhimaboutFiorsen’sdebts。Therewerehundredsofpoundsowing，itseemed，and，inaddition，muchtoRosekhimself。Thethoughtofthesedebtsweighedunbearablyonher。Whydidhe，HOWdidhegetintodebtlikethis？Whatbecameofthemoneyheearned？Hisfees，thissummer，weregoodenough。Therewassuchafeelingofdegradationaboutdebt。Itwas，somehow，sounderbredtoowemoneytoallsortsofpeople。Wasitonthatgirl，onotherwomen，thathespentitall？Orwasitsimplythathisnaturehadholesineverypocket？

WatchingFiorsenclosely，thatspringandearlysummer，shewasconsciousofachange，asortofloosening，somethinginhimhadgivenway——aswhen，inwindingawatch，thekeyturnsonandon，theratchetbeingbroken。Yethewascertainlyworkinghard——

perhapsharderthanever。Shewouldhearhim，acrossthegarden，goingoverandoverapassage，asifheneverwouldbesatisfied。

Buthisplayingseemedtohertohavelostitsfireandsweep；tobestale，andasifdisillusioned。Itwasallasthoughhehadsaidtohimself:”What’stheuse？”Inhisface，too，therewasachange。Sheknew——shewascertainthathewasdrinkingsecretly。

Wasithisfailurewithher？Wasitthegirl？Wasitsimplyheredityfromahard-drinkingancestry？

Gypneverfacedthesequestions。Tofacethemwouldmeanuselessdiscussion，uselessadmissionthatshecouldnotlovehim，uselessasseverationfromhimaboutthegirl，whichshewouldnotbelieve，uselessdenialsofallsorts。Hopeless！

Hewasveryirritable，andseemedespeciallytoresenthermusiclessons，alludingtothemwithasortofsneeringimpatience。Shefeltthathedespisedthemasamateurish，andsecretlyresentedit。

Hewasoftenimpatient，too，ofthetimeshegavetothebaby。Hisownconductwiththelittlecreaturewaslikealltherestofhim。

Hewouldgotothenursery，muchtoBetty’salarm，andtakeupthebaby；becharmingwithitforabouttenminutes，thensuddenlydumpitbackintoitscradle，stareatitgloomilyorutteralaugh，andgoout。Sometimes，hewouldcomeupwhenGypwasthere，andafterwatchingheralittleinsilence，almostdragheraway。

Sufferingalwaysfromtheguiltyconsciousnessofhavingnoloveforhim，andevermoreandmorefromhersensethat，insteadofsavinghimshewas，asitwere，pushinghimdown-hill——ironicalnemesisforvanity！——Gypwasevermoreandmorecomplianttohiswhims，tryingtomakeup。Butthiscompliance，whenallthetimeshefeltfurtherandfurtheraway，wasstraininghertobreaking-

point。Herswasanaturethatgoesonpassivelyenduringtillsomethingsnaps；afterthat——nomore。

Thosemonthsofspringandsummerwerelikealongspellofdrought，whenmoisturegathersfaraway，comingnearer，nearer，till，atlast，thedelugeburstsandsweepsthegarden。

XV

ThetenthofJulythatyearwasasthefirstdayofsummer。Therehadbeenmuchfineweather，butalwayseasterlyornortherly；now，afterabroken，rainyfortnight，thesunhadcomeinfullsummerwarmthwithagentlebreeze，driftinghereandtherescentoftheopeninglimeblossom。Inthegarden，underthetreesatthefarend，Bettysewedatagarment，andthebabyinherperambulatorhadherseventhmorningsleep。Gypstoodbeforeabedofpansiesandsweetpeas。Howmonkeyishthepansies’faces！Thesweetpeas，too，wereliketinybrightbirdsfastenedtogreenperchesswayingwiththewind。Andtheirlittlegreentridents，growingoutfromthequeer，flatstems，resembledtheantennaeofinsects。Eachofthesebrightfrail，growingthingshadlifeandindividualitylikeherself！

Thesoundoffootstepsonthegravelmadeherturn。Rosekwascomingfromthedrawing-roomwindow。Ratherstartled，Gyplookedathimoverhershoulder。Whathadbroughthimateleveno’clockinthemorning？Hecameuptoher，bowed，andsaid:”IcametoseeGustav。He’snotupyet，itseems。IthoughtI

wouldspeaktoyoufirst。Canwetalk？”

Hesitatingjustasecond，Gypdrewoffhergardening-gloves:”Ofcourse！Here？Orinthedrawing-room？”

Rosekanswered:”Inthedrawing-room，please。”

Afainttremorpassedthroughher，butsheledtheway，andseatedherselfwhereshecouldseeBettyandthebaby。Rosekstoodlookingdownather；hisstillness，thesweetishgravityofhiswell-cutlips，hisspotlessdandyismstirredinGypakindofunwillingadmiration。”Whatisit？”shesaid。”Badbusiness，I’mafraid。Somethingmustbedoneatonce。Ihavebeentryingtoarrangethings，buttheywillnotwait。Theyareeventhreateningtosellupthishouse。”

Withasenseofoutrage，Gypcried:”Nearlyeverythinghereismine。”

Rosekshookhishead。”Theleaseisinhisname——youarehiswife。Theycandoit，I

assureyou。”Asortofshadowpassedoverhisface，andheadded:”Icannothelphimanymore——justnow。”

Gypshookherheadquickly。”No——ofcourse！Yououghtnottohavehelpedhimatall。Ican’tbear——”Hebowed，andshestopped，ashamed。”Howmuchdoesheowealtogether？””Aboutthirteenhundredpounds。Itisn’tmuch，ofcourse。Butthereissomethingelse——””Worse？”

Roseknodded。”Iamafraidtotellyou；youwillthinkagainperhapsthatIamtryingtomakecapitaloutofit。Icanreadyourthoughts，yousee。Icannotaffordthatyoushouldthinkthat，thistime。”

Gypmadealittlemovementasthoughputtingawayhiswords。”No；tellme，please。”

Rosekshruggedhisshoulders。”ThereisamancalledWagge，anundertaker——thefatherofsomeoneyouknow——””DaphneWing？””Yes。Achildiscoming。Theyhavemadehertell。Itmeansthecancellingofherengagements，ofcourse——andotherthings。”

Gyputteredalittlelaugh；thenshesaidslowly:”Canyoutellme，please，whatthisMr——Waggecando？”

AgainRosekshruggedhisshoulders。”Heisrabid——arabidmanofhisclassisdangerous。Alotofmoneywillbewanted，Ishouldthink——someblood，perhaps。”

Hemovedswiftlytoher，andsaidverylow:”Gyp，itisayearsinceItoldyouofthis。Youdidnotbelievemethen。Itoldyou，too，thatIlovedyou。Iloveyoumore，now，ahundredtimes！Don’tmove！IamgoinguptoGustav。”

Heturned，andGypthoughthewasreallygoing；buthestoppedandcamebackpastthelineofthewindow。Theexpressionofhisfacewasquitechanged，sohungrythat，foramoment，shefeltsorryforhim。Andthatmusthaveshowninherface，forhesuddenlycaughtather，andtriedtokissherlips；shewrenchedback，andhecouldonlyreachherthroat，butthathekissedfuriously。Lettinghergoassuddenly，hebenthisheadandwentoutwithoutalook。

Gypstoodwipinghiskissesoffherthroatwiththebackofherhand，dumbly，mechanicallythinking:”WhathaveIdonetobetreatedlikethis？WhatHAVEIdone？”Noanswercame。Andsuchrageagainstmenflaredupthatshejuststoodthere，twistinghergarden-glovesinherhands，andbitingthelipshewouldhavekissed。Then，goingtoherbureau，shetookupheraddressbookandlookedforthename:Wing，88，FranklandStreet，Fulham。

Unhookingherlittlebagfromoffthebackofthechair，sheputhercheque-bookintoit。Then，takingcaretomakenosound，shepassedintothehall，caughtuphersunshade，andwentout，closingthedoorwithoutnoise。

ShewalkedquicklytowardBakerStreet。Hergardening-hatwasrightenough，butshehadcomeoutwithoutgloves，andmustgointothefirstshopandbuyapair。Inthechoosingofthem，sheforgotheremotionsforaminute。Outinthestreetagain，theycamebackasbitterlyasever。Andthedaywassobeautiful——thesunbright，theskyblue，thecloudsdazzlingwhite；fromthetopofher’busshecouldseeallitsbrilliance。Thereroseupbeforeherthememoryofthemanwhohadkissedherarmatthefirstball。Andnow——this！But，mixedwithherrage，asortofunwillingcompassionandfellowfeelingkeptrisingforthatgirl，thatsilly，sugar-plumgirl，broughttosuchapassby——herhusband。

ThesefeelingssustainedherthroughthatvoyagetoFulham。Shegotdownatthenearestcorner，walkedupawidishstreetofnarrowgreyhousestillshecametonumbereighty-eight。Onthatnewlyscrubbedstep，waitingforthedoortoopen，sheverynearlyturnedandfled。Whatexactlyhadshecometodo？

Thedoorwasopenedbyaservantinanuntidyfrock。Mutton！Thesmellofmutton——thereitwas，justasthegirlhadsaid！”IsMiss——MissDaphneWingathome？”

Inthatpeculiar”I’vegivenitup”voiceofdomesticsinsmallhouseholds，theservantanswered:”Yes；MissDisey’sin。D’youwanttosee’er？Whatnyme？”

Gypproducedhercard。Themaidlookedatit，atGyp，andattwobrown-painteddoors，asmuchastosay，”Wherewillyouhaveit？”

Then，openingthefirstofthem，shesaid:”Tykeaseat，please；I’llfetchher。”

Gypwentin。Inthemiddleofwhatwasclearlythedining-room，shetriedtosubduethetremorofherlimbsandasenseofnausea。

Thetableagainstwhichherhandrestedwascoveredwithredbaize，nodoubttokeepthestainsofmuttonfrompenetratingtothewood。

Onthemahoganysideboardreposedacruet-standandagreendishofveryredapples。Abamboo-framedtalcscreenpaintedwithwhiteandyellowmargueritesstoodbeforeafireplacefilledwithpampas-

grassdyedred。Thechairswereofredmorocco，thecurtainsabrownish-red，thewallsgreen，andonthemhungasetofLandseerprints。ThepeculiarsensationwhichredandgreeninjuxtapositionproduceonthesensitivewasaddedtoGyp’sdistress。

And，suddenly，hereyeslightedonalittledeep-bluechinabowl。

Itstoodonablackstandonthemantel-piece，withnothinginit。

ToGyp，inthisroomofredandgreen，withthesmellofmuttoncreepingin，thatbowlwaslikethecrystallizedwhiffofanotherworld。DaphneWing——notDaisyWagge——hadsurelyputitthere！

And，somehow，ittouchedher——emblemofstifledbeauty，emblemofallthatthegirlhadtriedtopourouttoherthatAugustafternooninhergardennearlyayearago。ThinEasternchina，goodandreallybeautiful！Awondertheyallowedittopollutethisroom！

Asighmadeherturnround。Withherbackagainstthedoorandawhite，scaredface，thegirlwasstanding。Gypthought:’Shehassufferedhorribly。’And，goingimpulsivelyuptoher，sheheldoutherhand。

DaphneWingsighedout:”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen！”and，bendingoverthathand，kissedit。Gypsawthathernewglovewaswet。Thenthegirlrelapsed，herfeetalittleforward，herheadalittleforward，herbackagainstthedoor。Gyp，whoknewwhyshestoodthus，wassweptagainbythosetwoemotions——rageagainstmen，andfellowfeelingforoneabouttogothroughwhatsheherselfhadjustendured。”It’sallright，”shesaid，gently；”only，what’stobedone？”

DaphneWingputherhandsupoverherwhitefaceandsobbed。ShesobbedsoquietlybutsoterriblydeeplythatGypherselfhadtheutmostdifficultynottocry。Itwasthesobbingofrealdespairbyacreaturebereftofhopeandstrength，aboveall，oflove——thesortofweepingwhichisdrawnfromdesolate，sufferingsoulsonlybythetouchoffellowfeeling。And，insteadofmakingGypgladorsatisfyinghersenseofjustice，itfilledherwithmorerageagainstherhusband——thathehadtakenthisgirl’sinfatuationforhispleasureandthenthrownheraway。Sheseemedtoseehimdiscardingthatclinging，dove-fairgirl，forcloyinghissensesandgettingonhisnerves，discardingherwithcausticwords，toabidealonetheconsequencesofherinfatuation。Sheputherhandtimidlyonthatshakingshoulder，andstrokedit。Foramomentthesobbingstopped，andthegirlsaidbrokenly:”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，Idolovehimso！”Atthosenaivewords，apainfulwishtolaughseizedonGyp，makinghershiverfromheadtofoot。DaphneWingsawit，andwenton:”Iknow——Iknow——it’sawful；butIdo——andnowhe——he——”Herquietbutreallydreadfulsobbingbrokeoutagain。AndagainGypbeganstrokingandstrokinghershoulder。”AndIhavebeensoawfultoyou！Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，doforgiveme，please！”

AllGypcouldfindtoanswer，was:”Yes，yes；that’snothing！Don’tcry——don’tcry！”

Veryslowlythesobbingdiedaway，tillitwasjustalongshivering，butstillthegirlheldherhandsoverherfaceandherfacedown。Gypfeltparalyzed。Theunhappygirl，theredandgreenroom，thesmellofmutton——creeping！

Atlast，alittleofthatwhitefaceshowed；thelips，nolongercravingforsugar-plums，murmured:”It’syouhe——he——reallylovesallthetime。Andyoudon’tlovehim——that’swhat’ssofunny——and——and——Ican’tunderstandit。Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，ifIcouldseehim——justseehim！Hetoldmenevertocomeagain；andIhaven’tdared。Ihaven’tseenhimforthreeweeks——notsinceItoldhimaboutIT。WhatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？”

HisbeingherownhusbandseemedasnothingtoGypatthatmoment。

Shefeltsuchpityandyetsuchviolentrevoltthatanygirlshouldwanttocrawlbacktoamanwhohadspurnedher。Unconsciously，shehaddrawnherselfupandpressedherlipstogether。Thegirl，whofollowedeverymovement，saidpiteously:”Idon’tseemtohaveanypride。Idon’tmindwhathedoestome，orwhathesays，ifonlyIcanseehim。”

Gyp’srevoltyieldedtoherpity。Shesaid:”Howlongbefore？””Threemonths。”

Threemonths——andinthisstateofmisery！”IthinkIshalldosomethingdesperate。NowthatIcan’tdance，andTHEYknow，it’stooawful！IfIcouldseehim，Iwouldn’tmindanything。ButIknow——Iknowhe’llneverwantmeagain。Oh，Mrs。

Fiorsen，IwishIwasdead！Ido！”

AheavysighescapedGyp，and，bendingsuddenly，shekissedthegirl’sforehead。Stillthatscentoforangeblossomaboutherskinorhair，aswhensheaskedwhethersheoughttoloveornot；aswhenshecame，moth-like，fromthetree-shadeintothemoonlight，spun，andfluttered，withhershadowspinningandflutteringbeforeher。Gypturnedaway，feelingthatshemustrelievethestrain。

andpointingtothebowl，said:”YOUputthatthere，I’msure。It’sbeautiful。”

Thegirlanswered，withpiteouseagerness:”Oh，wouldyoulikeit？Dotakeit。CountRosekgaveitme。”Shestartedawayfromthedoor。”Oh，that’spapa。He’llbecomingin！”

Gypheardamanclearhisthroat，andtherattleofanumbrellafallingintoastand；thesightofthegirlwiltingandshrinkingagainstthesideboardsteadiedher。Thenthedooropened，andMr。

Waggeentered。Shortandthick，inblackfrockcoatandtrousers，andagreyishbeard，hestaredfromonetotheother。Helookedwhathewas，anEnglishmanandachapelgoer，nourishedonsherryandmutton，whocouldanddidmakehisownwayintheworld。Hisfeatures，coloured，asfromadeepliverishness，werethick，likehisbody，andnotill-natured，exceptforasortofangerinhissmall，ratherpiggygreyeyes。Hesaidinavoicepermanentlygruff，butimpregnatedwithaspeciesofprofessionalingratiation:”Ye-es？Whom’aveI——？””Mrs。Fiorsen。””Ow！”Thesoundofhisbreathingcouldbehearddistinctly；hetwistedachairroundandsaid:”Takeaseat，won’tyou？”

Gypshookherhead。

InMr。Wagge’sfaceakindofdeferenceseemedtostrugglewithsomemoreprimitiveemotion。Takingoutalarge，black-edgedhandkerchief，heblewhisnose，passeditfreelyoverhisvisage，andturningtohisdaughter，muttered:”Goupstairs。”

Thegirlturnedquickly，andthelastglimpseofherwhitefacewhippedupGyp’srageagainstmen。Whenthedoorwasshut，Mr。

Waggeclearedhisthroat；thegratingsoundcarriedwithitthesuggestionofenormouslythicklinings。

Hesaidmoregrufflythanever:”MayIaskwhat’asgivenusthehonour？””Icametoseeyourdaughter。”

Hislittlepiggyeyestravelledfromherfacetoherfeet，tothewallsoftheroom，tohisownwatch-chain，tohishandsthathadbeguntorubthemselvestogether，backtoherbreast，higherthanwhichtheydarednotmount。TheirinfiniteembarrassmentstruckGyp。Shecouldalmosthearhimthinking:’Now，howcanIdiscussitwiththisattractiveyoungfemale，wifeofthescoundrelwho’sruinedmydaughter？Delicate-that’swhatitis！’Thenthewordsbursthoarselyfromhim。”Thisisanunpleasantbusiness，ma’am。Idon’tknowwhattosay。

ReellyIdon’t。It’sawkward；it’sveryawkward。”

Gypsaidquietly:”Yourdaughterisdesperatelyunhappy；andthatcan’tbegoodforherjustnow。”

Mr。Wagge’sthickfigureseemedtowrithe。”Pardonme，ma’am，”hespluttered，”butImustcallyourhusbandascoundrel。I’msorrytobeimpolite，butImustdoit。IfIhad’im’ere，Idon’tknowthatIshouldbeabletocontrolmyself——Idon’tindeed。”Gypmadeamovementofherglovedhands，whichheseemedtointerpretassympathy，forhewentoninastreamofhuskyutterance:”It’sadelicatethingbeforealady，andshetheinjuredparty；butonehasfeelings。FromthefirstIsaidthisdancin’wasinthefaceofProvidence；butwomenhavenomoresensethananegg。Hermothershewouldhaveit；andnowshe’sgotit！Career，indeed！

Prettycareer！Daughterofmine！Itellyou，ma’am，I’mangry；

there’snootherwordforit——I’mangry。Ifthatscoundrelcomeswithinreachofme，Ishallmark’im——I’mnotayoungman，butI

shallmark’im。An’whattosaytoyou，I’msureIdon’tknow。

Thatmydaughtershouldbe’avelikethat！Well，it’smadeadifferencetome。An’nowIsupposehername’llbedraggedinthemud。ItellyoufranklyI’opedyouwouldn’thearofit，becauseafterallthegirl’sgotherpunishment。Andthisdivorce-court——

it’snotnice——it’sahorriblethingforrespectablepeople。And，mindyou，Iwon’tseemygirlmarriedtothatscoundrel，notifyoudodivorce’im。No；she’llhaveherdisgracefornothing。”

Gyp，whohadlistenedwithherheadalittlebent，raiseditsuddenly，andsaid:”There’llbenopublicdisgrace，Mr。Wagge，unlessyoumakeityourself。IfyousendDaphne——Daisy——quietlyawaysomewheretillhertrouble’sover，nooneneedknowanything。”

Mr。Wagge，whosemouthhadopenedslightly，andwhosebreathingcouldcertainlyhavebeenheardinthestreet，tookastepforwardandsaid:”DoIunderstandyoutosaythatyou’renotgoin’totakeproceedings，ma’am？”

Gypshuddered，andshookherhead。

Mr。Waggestoodsilent，slightlymovinghisfaceupanddown。”Well，”hesaid，atlength，”it’smorethanshedeserves；butI

don’tdisguiseit’sarelieftome。AndImustsay，inayoungladylikeyou，and——andhandsome，itshowsaChristianspirit。”

AgainGypshivered，andshookherhead。”Itdoes。You’llallowmetosayso，asamanoldenoughtobeyourfather——andaregularattendant。”

Heheldouthishand。Gypputherglovedhandintoit。”I’mvery，verysorry。Pleasebenicetoher。”

Mr。Waggerecoiledalittle，andforsomesecondsstoodruefullyrubbinghishandstogetherandlookingfromsidetoside。”I’madomesticman，”hesaidsuddenly。”Adomesticmaninaseriouslineoflife；andIneverthoughttohaveanythinglikethisinmyfamily——never！It’sbeen——well，Ican’ttellyouwhatit’sbeen！”

Gyptookuphersunshade。Shefeltthatshemustgetaway；atanymomenthemightsaysomethingshecouldnotbear——andthesmellofmuttonrisingfast！”Iamsorry，”shesaidagain；”good-bye”；andmovedpasthimtothedoor。Sheheardhimbreathinghardashefollowedhertoopenit，andthought:’Ifonly——oh！pleaselethimbesilenttillIgetoutside！’Mr。Waggepassedherandputhishandonthelatchofthefrontdoor。Hislittlepiggyeyesscannedheralmosttimidly。”Well，”hesaid，”I’mverygladtohavetheprivilegeofyouracquaintance；and，ifImaysayso，you’ave——you’avemy’eartysympathy。Good-day。”

Thedooronceshutbehindher，Gyptookalongbreathandwalkedswiftlyaway。Hercheekswereburning；and，withacravingforprotection，sheputuphersunshade。Butthegirl’swhitefacecameupagainbeforeher，andthesoundofherwords:”Oh，Mrs。Fiorsen，IwishIwasdead！IDO！”

XVI

Gypwalkedonbeneathhersunshade，makingunconsciouslyforthepeaceoftrees。Hermindwasawhirlofimpressions——DaphneWing’sfigureagainstthedoor，Mr。Wagge’spuggygrey-beardedcountenance，theredpampas-grass，thebluebowl，Rosek’sfaceswoopingather，herlastglimpseofherbabyasleepunderthetrees！

ShereachedKensingtonGardens，turnedintothatwalkrenownedforthebeautyofitsflowersandtheplainnessofthepeoplewhofrequentit，andsatdownonabench。Itwasneartheluncheon-

hour；nursemaids，dogs，perambulators，oldgentlemen——allwerehurryingalittletowardtheirfood。Theyglancedwithcriticalsurpriseatthisprettyyoungwoman，leisuredandlonelyatsuchanhour，tryingtofindoutwhatwaswrongwithher，asonenaturallydoeswithbeauty——bowlegsorsomething，forsure，tobalanceafacelikethat！ButGypnoticednoneofthem，exceptnowandagainadogwhichsniffedherkneesinpassing。Formonthsshehadresolutelycultivatedinsensibility，resolutelyrefusedtofacereality；thebarrierwasforcednow，andthefloodhadsweptheraway。”Proceedings！”Mr。Waggehadsaid。Tothosewhoshrinkfromlettingtheirsecretaffairsbeknownevenbytheirnearestfriends，thenotionofapublicexhibitionoftroublessimplynevercomes，andithadcertainlynevercometoGyp。Withabittersmileshethought:’I’mbetteroffthansheis，afterall！SupposeI

lovedhim，too？No，Inever——never——wanttolove。Womenwholovesuffertoomuch。’

ShesatonthatbenchalongtimebeforeitcameintohermindthatshewasdueatMonsieurHarmost’sforamusiclessonatthreeo’clock。Itwaswellpasttwoalready；andshesetoutacrossthegrass。Thesummerdaywasfullofmurmuringsofbeesandflies，cooingsofblissfulpigeons，thesoftswishandstirofleaves，andthescentoflimeblossomunderaskysoblue，withfewwhitecloudsslow，andcalm，andfull。Whybeunhappy？Andoneofthosespottyspanieldogs，thathavebroadheads，withfrizzytopknots，andarealwaysrascals，smeltatherfrockandmovedroundandroundher，hopingthatshewouldthrowhersunshadeonthewaterforhimtofetch，thisbeinginhisviewtheonlyreasonwhyanythingwascarriedinthehand。

ShefoundMonsieurHarmostfidgetingupanddowntheroom，whoseopenedwindowscouldnotriditofthesmelloflatakia。”Ah，”hesaid，”Ithoughtyouwerenotcoming！Youlookpale；areyounotwell？Isittheheat？Or”——helookedhardintoherface——”hassomeonehurtyou，mylittlefriend？”Gypshookherhead。”Ah，yes，”hewentonirritably；”youtellmenothing；youtellnobodynothing！Youcloseupyourprettyfacelikeafloweratnight。Atyourage，mychild，oneshouldmakeconfidences；asecretgriefistomusicastheeastwindtothestomach。Putoffyourmaskforonce。”Hecameclosetoher。”Tellmeyourtroubles。ItisalongtimesinceIhavebeenmeaningtoask。

Come！Weareonlyonceyoung；Iwanttoseeyouhappy。”

ButGypstoodlookingdown。Woulditberelieftopourhersoulout？Wouldit？Hisbrowneyesquestionedherlikeanolddog’s。

Shedidnotwanttohurtonesokind。Andyet——impossible！

MonsieurHarmostsuddenlysatdownatthepiano。Restinghishandsonthekeys，helookedroundather，andsaid:”Iaminlovewithyou，youknow。Oldmencanbeverymuchinlove，buttheyknowitisnogood——thatmakesthemendurable。

Still，weliketofeelofusetoyouthandbeauty；itgivesusalittlewarmth。Come；tellmeyourgrief！”Hewaitedamoment，thensaidirritably:”Well，well，wegotomusicthen！”

Itwashishabittositbyheratthepianocorner，butto-dayhestoodasifpreparedtobeexceptionallysevere。AndGypplayed，whetherfromoverexcitednervesorfromnothavinghadanylunch，betterthanshehadeverplayed。TheChopinpolonaiseinAflat，thatsongofrevolution，whichhadalwaysseemedsounattainable，wentasifherfingerswerebeingworkedforher。Whenshehadfinished，MonsieurHarmost，bendingforward，liftedoneofherhandsandputhislipstoit。Shefeltthescrubofhislittlebristlybeard，andraisedherfacewithadeepsighofsatisfaction。

Avoicebehindthemsaidmockingly:”Bravo！”

There，bythedoor，stoodFiorsen。”Congratulations，madame！Ihavelongwantedtoseeyouundertheinspirationofyour——master！”

Gyp’sheartbegantobeatdesperately。MonsieurHarmosthadnotmoved。Afaintgrinslowlysettledinhisbeard，buthiseyeswerestartled。

Fiorsenkissedthebackofhisownhand。”TothisoldPantaloonyoucometogiveyourheart。Ho——whatalover！”

Gypsawtheoldmanquiver；shesprangupandcried:”Youbrute！”

Fiorsenranforward，stretchingouthisarmstowardMonsieurHarmost，asiftotakehimbythethroat。

Theoldmandrewhimselfup。”Monsieur，”hesaid，”youarecertainlydrunk。”

Gypslippedbetween，rightuptothoseoutstretchedhandstillshecouldfeeltheirknucklesagainsther。Hadhegonemad？Wouldhestrangleher？Buthereyesnevermovedfromhis，andhisbegantowaver；hishandsdropped，and，withakindofmoan，hemadeforthedoor。

MonsieurHarmost’svoicebehindhersaid:”Beforeyougo，monsieur，givemesomeexplanationofthisimbecility！”

Fiorsenspunround，shookhisfist，andwentoutmuttering。Theyheardthefrontdoorslam。Gypturnedabruptlytothewindow，andthere，inheragitation，shenoticedlittleoutsidethingsasonedoesinmomentsofbewilderedanger。Evenintothatbackyard，summerhadcrept。Theleavesofthesumach-treewereglistening；

inathree-corneredlittlepatchofsunlight，ablackcatwithablueribbonrounditsneckwasbasking。Thevoiceofonehawkingstrawberriesdriftedmelancholyfromasidestreet。ShewasconsciousthatMonsieurHarmostwasstandingverystill，withahandpressedtohismouth，andshefeltaperfectpassionofcompunctionandanger。Thatkindandharmlessoldman——tobesoinsulted！ThiswasindeedtheculminationofallGustav’soutrages！Shewouldneverforgivehimthis！Forhehadinsultedheraswell，beyondwhatprideormeeknesscouldputupwith。Sheturned，and，runninguptotheoldman，putbothherhandsintohis。”I’msoawfullysorry。Good-bye，dear，dearMonsieurHarmost；I

shallcomeonFriday！”And，beforehecouldstopher，shewasgone。

Shedivedintothetraffic；but，justasshereachedthepavementontheotherside，feltherdresspluckedandsawFiorsenjustbehindher。Sheshookherselffreeandwalkedswiftlyon。Washegoingtomakeasceneinthestreet？Againhecaughtherarm。Shestoppeddead，facedroundonhim，andsaid，inanicyvoice:”Pleasedon’tmakescenesinthestreet，anddon’tfollowmelikethis。Ifyouwanttotalktome，youcan——athome。”

Then，verycalmly，sheturnedandwalkedon。Buthewasstillfollowingher，somepacesoff。Shedidnotquickenhersteps，andtothefirsttaxicabdriverthatpassedshemadeasign，andsaying:”BuryStreet——quick！”gotin。ShesawFiorsenrushforward，toolatetostopher。Hethrewuphishandandstoodstill，hisfacedeadlywhiteunderhisbroad-brimmedhat。Shewasfartooangryandupsettocare。

FromthemomentsheturnedtothewindowatMonsieurHarmost’s，shehaddeterminedtogotoherfather’s。ShewouldnotgobacktoFiorsen；andtheonethoughtthatfilledhermindwashowtogetBettyandherbaby。Nearlyfour！Dadwasalmostsuretobeathisclub。Andleaningout，shesaid:”No；HydeParkCorner，please。”

Thehallporter，whoknewher，aftercallingtoapage-boy:”MajorWinton——sharp，now！”camespeciallyoutofhisboxtoofferheraseatandTheTimes。

Gypsatwithitonherknee，vaguelytakinginhersurroundings——athinoldgentlemananxiouslyweighinghimselfinacorner，awhite-

calvedfootmancrossingwithatea-tray；anumberofhatsonpegs；

thegreen-baizeboardwithitswhiterowsoftapelikepaper，andthreemembersstandingbeforeit。Oneofthem，atall，stout，good-humoured-lookingmaninpince-nezandawhitewaistcoat，becomingconscious，removedhisstrawhatandtookupapositionwhence，withoutstaring，hecouldgazeather；andGypknew，withouteverseemingtoglanceathim，thathefoundhertohisliking。Shesawherfather’sunhurriedfigurepassingthatlittlegroup，allofwhomwereconsciousnow，andeagertogetawayoutofthissanctumofmasculinity，shemethimatthetopofthelowsteps，andsaid:”Iwanttotalktoyou，Dad。”

Hegaveheraquicklook，selectedhishat，andfollowedtothedoor。Inthecab，heputhishandonhersandsaid:”Now，mydear？”

Butallshecouldgetoutwas:”Iwanttocomebacktoyou。Ican’tgoonthere。It’s——it’s——

I’vecometoanend。”

Hishandpressedherstightly，asifheweretryingtosavehertheneedforsayingmore。Gypwenton:”Imustgetbaby；I’mterrifiedthathe’lltrytokeepher，togetmeback。””Isheathome？””Idon’tknow。Ihaven’ttoldhimthatI’mgoingtoleavehim。”

Wintonlookedathiswatchandasked:”Doesthebabyevergooutaslateasthis？””Yes；aftertea。It’scooler。””I’lltakethiscabon，then。Youstayandgettheroomreadyforher。Don’tworry，anddon’tgoouttillIreturn。”

AndGypthought:’Howwonderfulofhimnottohaveaskedasinglequestion。’

ThecabstoppedattheBuryStreetdoor。Shetookhishand，putittohercheek，andgotout。Hesaidquietly:”Doyouwantthedogs？””Yes——oh，yes！Hedoesn’tcareforthem。””Allright。There’llbetimetogetyouinsomethingsforthenightafterIcomeback。Ishan’trunanyrisksto-day。MakeMrs。

Markeygiveyoutea。”

Gypwatchedthecabgatherwayagain，sawhimwavehishand；then，withadeepsigh，halfanxiety，halfrelief，sherangthebell。