"He’ssuchfun，"saidDolly，withasuddensmile。"HetoldArchiethatIwasthemostcharmingwomaninLondon!You’veneverdonethat!"
"Hesaidthesameaboutthepudding—facedgirl，"Iobserved。
Therewasapause。ThenDollyasked：
"Howisyournose？"
"Thecarriageexerciseisdoingitgood，"saidI。
"If，"observedDolly，"heissosilly，now，whatwillhebeatyourage？"
"Awiseman，"saidI。
"HesuggestedthatImightwritetohim，"bubbledDolly。
NowwhenDollybubbles——anoperationwhichincludesasuddenturntowardsme，adancingofeyes，adartofasmallhand，ahurriedrushofwords，checkedandconfusedbyaspeediergustofgurglingsound——Iaminthehabitofceasingtoarguethequestion。Bubblingisnottobemetbyarguing。Icouldonlysay：
"He’llhaveforgottenbytheendoftheterm。"
"He’llremembertwodayslater，"retortedDolly。
"Stopthecarriage，"saidI。"IshalltellMrs。Hilaryallaboutit。"
"Iwon’tstopthecarriage，"saidDolly。"I’mgoingtotakeyouhomewithme。"
"Iamatapremiumtoday，"Isaidsardonically。
"Onemusthavesomething，"saidDolly。"Howisyournosenow，Mr。Carter？"
IlookedatDolly。Ihadbetternothavedonethat。
"Wouldafternoonteahurtit？"sheinquiredanxiously。
"Itwoulddoitgood，"saidIdecisively。
Andthatisabsolutelythewholestory。AndwhatintheworldMrs。HilaryfoundtodisapproveofIdon’tknow——especiallyasI
didn’ttellherhalfofit!Butshediddisapprove。However，shelooksverywellwhenshedisapproves。
THEHOUSEOPPOSITE
WeweretalkingoverthesadcaseofyoungAlgyGroom；IwasexplainingtoMrs。Hilaryexactlywhathadhappened。
"Hisfathergavehim，saidI"ahundredpounds，tokeephimforthreemonthsinPariswhilehelearntFrench。"
"Andveryliberaltoo，"saidMrs。Hilary。
"Itdependswhereyoudine，"saidI。"However，thatquestiondidnotarise，forAlgywenttotheGrandPrixthedayafterhearrived——"
"Ahorserace？"askedMrs。Hilarywithgreatcontempt。
"Certainlythecompetitorsarehorses，"Irejoined。"Andtherehe，mostunfortunately，lostthewholesum，withoutlearninganyFrenchtospeakof。"
"Howdisgusting!"exclaimedMrs。Hilary，andlittleMissPhyllisgaspedinhorror。
"Oh，well，"saidHilary，withmuchbravery（asitstruckme），"hisfather’sverywelloff。"
"Thatdoesn’tmakeitabitbetter，declaredhiswife。
"There’snomortalsininalittlebetting，mydear。Boyswillbeboys——"
"Andeventhat，"Iinterposed，"wouldn’tmatterifwecouldonlypreventgirlsfrombeinggirls。"
Mrs。Hilary，takingnonoticewhateverofme，pronouncedsentence。"Hegrosslydeceivedhisfather，"shesaid，andtookupherembroidery。
"Mostofushavegrosslydeceivedourparentsbeforenow，"saidI。"Weshouldallhavetoconfesstosomethingofthesort。"
"Ihopeyou’respeakingforyourownsex，"observedMrs。Hilary。
"Notmorethanyours，"saidI。"YouusedtomeetHilaryonthepierwhenyourfatherwasn’tthere——youtoldmeso。"
"FatherhadauthorizedmyacquaintancewithHilary。"
"Ihatequibbles，"saidI。
Therewasapause。Mrs。Hilarystitched；Hilaryobservedthatthedaywasfine。
"Now，"Ipursuedcarelessly，"evenMissPhyllisherehasbeenknowntodeceiveherparents。"
"Oh，letthepoorchildalone，anyhow，"saidMrs。Hilary。
"Haven’tyou？"saidItoMissPhyllis。
Iexpectedanindignantdenial。SodidMrs。Hilary，forsheremarkedwithasympatheticair：
"Nevermindhisfolly，Phyllisdear。"
"Haven’tyou，MissPhyllis？"saidI。
MissPhyllisgrewveryred。FearingthatIwascausingherpain，IwasabouttoobserveontheprospectsofaDissolutionwhenashysmilespreadoverMissPhyllis’sface。
"Yes，once，"saidshewithatimidglanceatMrs。Hilary，whoimmediatelylaiddownherembroidery。
"Outwithit，"Icried，triumphantly。"Comealong，MissPhyllis。
Wewon’ttell，honorbright!"
MissPhyllislookedagainatMrs。Hilary。Mrs。Hilaryishuman：
"Well，Phyllis，dear，saidshe，"afterallthistimeIshouldn’tthinkitmyduty——"
"Itonlyhappenedlastsummer，"saidMissPhyllis。
Mrs。Hilarylookedratherputout。
"Still，"shebegan。
"Wemusthavethestory，"saidI。
LittleMissPhyllisputdownthesockshehadbeenknitting。
"Iwasverynaughty，"sheremarked。"Itwasmylasttermatschool。"
"Iknowthatage，"saidItoHilary。
"Mywindowlookedouttowardsthestreet。You’resureyouwon’ttell？Well，therewasahouseopposite——"
"Andayoungmaninit，"saidI。
"Howdidyouknowthat？"askedMissPhyllis，blushingimmensely。
"Nogirls’schoolcankeepupitsnumberswithoutone，"I
explained。
"Well，therewas，anyhow，"saidMissPhyllis。"AndIandtwoothergirlswenttoacourseoflecturesattheTownHallonliteratureorsomethingofthatkind。Weusedtohaveashillinggivenusforourtickets。"
"Precisely，"saidI。"Ahundredpounds!"
"No，ashilling，"correctedMissPhyllis。"Ahundredpounds!
Howabsurd，Mr。Carter!Well，onedayI——I——"
"You’resureyouwishtogoon，Phyllis？"askedMrs。Hilary。
"You’reafraid，Mrs。Hilary，"saidIseverely。
"Nonsense，Mr。Carter。IthoughtPhyllismight——"
"Idon’tmindgoingon，"saidMissPhyllis，smiling。"OnedayI——Ilosttheothergirls。"
"Theothergirlsarealwayseasytolose，"Iobserved。
"Andonthewaythere——oh，youknow，hewenttothelectures。"
"Theyoungdog，"saidI，nudgingHilary。"Ishouldthinkhedid!"
"Onthewaythereitbecamerather——ratherfoggy。"
"Blessingsonit!"Icried；forlittleMissPhyllis’sdemurebutroguishexpressiondelightedme。
"Andhe——hefoundmeinthefog。"
"Whatareyoudoing，Mr。Carter？"criedMrs。Hilaryangrily。
"Nothing，nothing，"saidI。IbelieveIhadwinkedatHilary。
"And——wecouldn’tfindtheTownHall。"
"Oh，Phyllis!"groanedMrs。Hilary。
LittleMissPhyllislookedalarmedforamoment。Thenshesmiled。
"Butwefoundtheconfectioner’s，"saidshe。
"TheGrandPrix，"saidI，pointingmyforefingeratHilary。
"Hehadnomoneyatall，"saidMissPhyllis。
"It’sideal!"saidI。
"And——andwehadteaon——on——"
"Theshilling？"Icriedinrapture。
"Yes，"saidlittleMissPhyllis，"ontheshilling。Andhesawmehome。"
"Details，please，"saidI。
LittleMissPhyllisshookherhead。
"Andleftmeatthedoor。"
"Wasitstillfoggy？"Iasked。
"Yes。Orhewouldn’thave——"
"Nowwhatdidhe——？"
"Cometothedoor，Mr。Carter，"saidMissPhyllis，withobviouswariness。"Oh，anditwassuchfun!"
"I’msureitwas。"
"No，Imeanwhenwewereexaminedinthelectures。Iboughtthelocalpaper，youknow，andreaditup，andIgottopmarkseasily，andMissGreenwrotetomothertosayhowwellIhaddone。"
"Itallendsmostsatisfactorily，"Iobserved。
"Yes，didn’tit？"saidlittleMissPhyllis。
Mrs。Hilarywasgraveagain。
"Andyounevertoldyourmother，Phyllis？"sheasked。
"N—no，CousinMary，"saidMissPhyllis。
Iroseandstoodwithmybacktothefire。LittleMissPhyllistookuphersockagain，butasmilestillplayedaboutthecornersofhermouth。
"Iwonder，"saidI，lookingupattheceiling，"whathappenedatthedoor。"Then，asnoonespoke，Iadded：
"Pooh!Iknowwhathappenedatthedoor。"
"I’mnotgoingtotellyouanythingmore，"saidMissPhyllis。
"ButIshouldliketohearitinyourown——"
MissPhylliswasgone!Shehadsuddenlyrisenandrunfromtheroom!
"Itdidhappenatthedoor，"saidI。
"FancyPhyllis!"musedMrs。Hilary。
"Ihope，"saidI，"thatitwillbealessontoyou。"
"Ishallhavetokeepmyeyeonher，"saidMrs。Hilary。
"Youcan’tdoit，"saidIineasyconfidence。IhadnofearoflittleMissPhyllisbeingdoneoutofherrecreations。
"Meanwhile，"Ipursued，"theimportantthingisthis：myparallelisobviousandcomplete。"
"There’snottheleastlikeness，"saidMrs。Hilarysharply。
"Asahundredpoundsaretoashilling，soistheGrandPrixtotheyoungmanopposite，"Iobserved，takingmyhat，andholdingoutmyhandtoMrs。Hilary。
"Iamveryangrywithyou，"shesaid。"You’vemadethechildthinktherewasnothingwronginit。"
"Oh!Nonsense，"saidI。"Lookhowsheenjoyedtellingit。"
Then，notheedingMrs。Hilary，Ilaunchedintoanapostrophe。
"O，divineHouseOpposite!"Icried。"CharmingHouseOpposite!"
IfonlyImightdwellforeverintheHouseOpposite!"
"Ihaven’ttheleastnotionofwhatyoumean，"remarkedMrs。
Hilary，stiffly。"Isupposeit’ssomethingsilly——orworse。"
Ilookedatherinsomepuzzle。
"HaveyounolongingfortheHouseOpposite？"Iasked。
Mrs。Hilarylookedatme。Hereyesceasedtobeabsolutelyblank。SheputherarmthroughHilary’sandansweredgently——
"Idon’twanttheHouseOpposite。"
"Ah，"saidI，givingmyhatabrush，"butmaybeyouremembertheHouse——whenitwasOpposite？"
Mrs。Hilary，onearmstillinHilary’s，gavemeherhand。Sheblushedandsmiled。
"Well，"saidshe，"itwasyourfault；soIwon’tscoldPhyllis。"
"No，don’tmydear，"saidHilary，withalaugh。
Asforme，Iwentdownstairs，and，inabsenceofmind，bademycabmandrivetotheHouseOpposite。ButIhavenevergotthere。
AQUICKCHANGE
"WhynotgowithArchie？"Iasked，spreadingoutmyhands。
"Itwillbedullenough，anyhow，"saidDolly，fretfully。
"Besides，it’sawfullybourgeoistogotothetheaterwithone’shusband。"
"Bourgeois，"Iobserved，"isanepithetwhichtheriffraffapplytowhatisrespectable，andthearistocracytowhatisdecent。"
"Butit’snotanicethingtobe，allthesame，"saidDolly，whoisimpervioustothemostpenetratingremark。
"You’reinnodangerofit，"Ihastenedtoassureher。
"Howshouldyoudescribeme，then？"sheasked，leaningforward，withasmile。
"Ishoulddescribeyou，LadyMickleham，"Ireplieddiscreetly，"asbeingalittlelowerthantheangels。"
Dolly’ssmilewasalmostalaughassheasked：
"Howmuchlower，please，Mr。Carter？"
"Justbythedepthofyourdimples，"saidIthoughtlessly。
Dollybecameimmenselygrave。
"Ithought，"saidshe，"thatwenevermentionedthemnow，Mr。
Carter。"
"Didweever？"Iaskedinnocently。
"Iseemedtorememberonce：doyourecollectbeinginverylowspiritsoneeveningatMonte？"
"Irememberbeinginverylowwatermorethanoneeveningthere。"
"Yes；youtoldmeyouwereterriblyhard—up。"
"Therewasanelectioninourdivisionthatyear，"Iremarked，"andIremitted30percentofmyrents。"
"Youdid——toM。Blanc，"saidDolly。"Oh，andyouwereverydreary!Yousaidyou’dwastedyourlifeandyourtimeandyouropportunities。"
"Oh，youmustn’tsupposeIneverhaveanyproperfeelings，"saidIcomplacently。
"Ithinkyouwerehardlyyourself。"
"Dobemorecharitable。"
"Andyousaidthatyouronlychancewasingainingtheaffectionof——"
"Surely，Iwasnotsuchan——sofoolish？"Iimplored。
"Yes，youwere。Youweresittingclosebyme——"
"Oh，then，itdoesn’tcount，"saidI，rallyingalittle。
"Onabench。Yourememberthebench？"
"No，Idon’t，"saidI，withakindbutfirmsmile。
"Notthebench？"
"No。"
Dollylookedatme，thensheaskedinaninsinuatingtone——
"Whendidyouforgetit，Mr。Carter？"
"Thedayyouwereburied，"Irejoined。
"Isee。Well，yousaidthenwhatyoucouldn’tpossiblyhavemeant。"
"Idaresay。Ioftendid。"
"Thattheywere——"
"Thatwhatwere？"
"Why，the——the——whatwe’retalkingabout。"
"Whatwewere——？Oh，tobesure，the——theblemishes？"
"Yes，theblemishes。Yousaidtheywerethemost——"
"Oh，well，itwasafacondeparler。"
"Iwasafraidyouweren’tabitsincere，"saidDollyhumbly。
"Well，judgebyyourself，"saidIwithacandidair。
"ButIsaidnothing!"criedDolly。
"Itwasincomparablythemostartisticthingtodo，"saidI。
"I’msometimesafraidyoudon’tdomejustice，Mr。Carter，"
remarkedDollywithsomepathos。
Ididnotcaretoenteruponthatdiscussion，andapausefollowed。ThenDolly，inatimidmanner，askedme——
"Doyourememberthedreadfulthingthathappenedthesameevening？"
"Thatchancestoremaininmymemory，"Iadmitted。
"I’vealwaysthoughtitkindofyounevertospeakofit，"saidshe。
"Itisbestforgotten，"saidI，smiling。
"Weshouldhavesaidthesameaboutanybody，"protestedDolly。
"Certainly。Wewereonlytryingtobesmart，"saidI。
"Anditwashorriblyunjust。"
"Iquiteagreewithyou，LadyMickleham。"
"Besides，Ididn’tknowanythingabouthimthen。Hehadonlyarrivedthatday，yousee。"
"Reallywewerenottoblame，"Iurged。
"Oh，butdoesn’titseemfunny？"
"Astrangewhirligig，nodoubt，"Imused。
Therewasapause。ThenthefaintestofsmilesappearedonDolly’sface。
"Heshouldn’thavewornsuchclothes，"shesaid，asthoughinselfdefense。"Anybodywouldhavelookedabsurdinthem。"
"Itwasalltheclothes，"Iagreed。"Besides，whenamandoesn’tknowaplace，healwaysmoonsaboutandlooks——"
"Yes。Ratherawkward，doesn’the，Mr。Carter？"
"Andthemerefactofhislookingatyou——"
"Atus，please。"
"Isnothing，althoughwemadeagrievanceofitatthetime。"
"Thatwasveryabsurdofyou，"saidDolly。
"Itwascertainlyunreasonableofus，"saidI。
"Weoughthaveknownhewasagentleman。"
"Butwescoutedtheideaofit，"saidI。
"Itwasamostcuriousmistaketomake，"saidDolly。
"O，well，it’sputrightnow，"saidI。
"Oh，Mr。Carter，doyouremembermamma’sfacewhenwedescribedhim？"
"Thatwasaterriblemoment，"saidI，withashudder。
"Isaidhewas——ugly，"whisperedDolly。
"AndIsaid——somethingworse，"murmuredI。
"Andmammaknewatoncefromourdescriptionthatitwas——"
"Shesawitinaminute，"saidI。
"Andthenyouwentaway。"
"Well，IrathersupposeIdid，"saidI。
"MammaisjustalittleliketheDowagersometimes，"saidDolly。
"Thereisatouchnowandthen，"Iconceded。
"AndwhenIwasintroducedtohimthenextdayIabsolutelyblushed。"
"Idon’taltogetherwonderatthat，"Iobserved。
"Butitwasn’tasifhe’dheardwhatweweresaying。"
"No；buthe’dseenwhatweweredoing。"
"Well，whatwerewedoing？"criedDollydefiantly。
"Conversingconfidentially，"saidI。
"Andaweeklateryouwenthome!"
"Justoneweeklater，"saidI。
Therewasalongpause。
"Well，you’lltakemetothetheater？"askedDolly，withsomethingwhich，ifIweresodisposed，Imightconsiderasigh。
"I’veseenthepiecetwice，"saidI。
"Howtiresomeofyou!You’veseeneverythingtwice。"
"I’veseensomethingsmuchoftener，"Iobserved。
"I’llgetanicegirlforyoutotalkto，andI’llhaveayoungman。"
"Idon’twantmygirltobetoonice，"Iobserved。
"Sheshallbepretty，"saidDollygenerously。
"Idon’tmindifIdocomewithyou，"saidI。"WhatbecomesofArchie？"
"He’sgoingtotakehismotherandhissisterstotheAlbertHall。"
Myfacebrightened。
"Iamunreasonable，"Iadmitted。
"Sometimesyouare，"saidDolly。
"Ihavemuchtobethankfulfor。Haveyoueverobservedasmallboyeatapennyice？"
"OfcourseIhave，"saidDolly。
"Whatdoeshedowhenhe’sfinishedit？"
"Stop，Isuppose。"
"Onthecontrary，"saidI，"helickstheglass。"
"Yes，hedoes，"saidDollymeditatively。
"It’snotsobad——lickingtheglass，"saidI。
Dollystoodoppositeme，smiling。AtthismomentArchieentered。
Hehadbeenworkingathislathe。Heisveryfondofmakingthingswhichhedoesn’twant，andthengivingthemtopeoplewhohavenouseforthem。
"Howareyou，oldchap？"hebegan。"I’vejustfinishedanuncommonpretty——"
Hestopped，paralyzedbyacryfromDolly——
"Archie，whatintheworldareyouwearing？"
IturnedastartledgazeuponArchie。
"It’sjustanoldsuitIroutedout，"saidheapologetically。
IlookedatDolly；hereyeswereclosedshut，andshegasped——
"Mydear，dearboy，goandchangeit!"
"Idon’tseewhyit’snot——"
"Goandchangeit，ifyouloveme，"besoughtDolly。
"Oh，allright。"
"Youlookhideousinit，"shesaid，hereyesstillshut。
Archie，whoisverydocile，withdrew。Aguiltysilencereignedforsomemoments。ThenDollyopenedhereyes。"Itwasthesuit，"shesaid，withashudder。"Oh，howitallcamebacktome!"
"Icouldwish，"Iobserved，takingmyhat，"thatitwouldallcomebacktome。"
"Iwonderifyoumeanthat!"
"AsmuchasIeverdid，"saidIearnestly。
"Andthatis——？
"Quiteenough。"
"Howtiresomeyouare!"shesaid，turningawaywithasmile。
OutsideImetArchieinanothersuit。
"Aquickchange，eh，myboy？"saidhe。
"Ittookjustaweek，"Iremarkedabsently。
Archiestared。
ASLIGHTMISTAKE
"Idon’taskyouformorethanaguinea，"saidMrs。Hilary，withaparadeofforbearance。
"Itwouldbethesame，"Irepliedpolitely，"ifyouaskedmeforathousand；"withwhichIhandedherhalf—a—crown。Shehelditinheropenhand，regardingitscornfully。
"Yes，"Icontinued，takingaseat，"Ifeelthatpecuniarygifts——"
"Half—a—crown!"
"Areyouapoorsubstituteforpersonalservice。MaynotI
accompanyyoutotheceremony？"
"Idaresayyouspentasmuchasthisonwinewithyourlunch!"
"Iwasinamadmoodtoday，"Iansweredapologetically。"Whataretheytaughtattheschool？"
"Aboveall，tobegoodgirls，"saidMrs。Hilaryearnestly。"Whatareyousneeringat，Mr。Carter？"
"Nothing，"saidIhastily，andIaddedwithasigh，"Isupposeit’sallright。"
"Ishouldlike，"saidMrs。Hilarymeditatively，"ifIhadnototherduties，todedicatemylifetotheserviceofgirls。"
"Ishouldthinktwiceaboutthat，ifIwereyou，"saidI，shakingmyhead。
"Bytheway，Mr。Carter，Idon’tknowifI’veeverspokenunkindlyofLadyMickleham。Ihopenot。"
"Hope，"saidI，"isnotyettaxed。"
"IfIhave，I’mverysorry。She’sbeenmostkindinundertakingtogiveawaytheprizestoday。Theremustbesomegoodinher。"
"Oh，don’tbehasty，"Iimplored。
"Ialwayswantedtothinkwellofher。"
"Ah!NowIneverdid。"
"AndLordMicklehamiscoming，too。He’llbemostuseful。"
"Thatsettlesit，"Iexclaimed。"Imaynotbeanearl，butI
haveaperfectrighttobeuseful。I’llgotoo。"
"Iwonderifyou’llbehaveproperly，"saidMrs。Hilarydoubtfully。
Iheldoutahalf—sovereign，threehalf—crowns，andashilling。
"Oh，well，youmaycome，sinceHilarycan’t，"saidMrs。Hilary。
"Youmeanhewon’t，"Iobserved。
"Hehasalwaysbeenpreventedhitherto，"saidshe，withdignity。
SoIwent，anditprovedamostagreeableexpedition。Therewere200girlsinbluefrocksandwhiteaprons（thegirlthreefromtheendofthefifthrowwasdecidedlypretty）——anicelotofprizebooks——theMicklehams（Dollyindemureblack），ourselves，andthematron。Allwentwell。Dollygaveawaytheprizes；Mrs。
HilaryandArchiemadelittlespeeches。Thenthematroncametome。Iwassittingmodestlyatthebackoftheplatform，alittledistancebehindtheothers。
"Mr。Musgrave，"saidthematrontome，"we’resogladtoseeyouhereatlast。Won’tyousayafewwords？"
"Itwouldbeaprivilege，"Irespondedcordially，"butunhappilyIhaveasorethroat。"
Thematron（whowasamostrespectablewoman）said，"Dear，dear!"
butdidnotpressthepoint。Evidently，however，shelikedme，forwhenwewenttohaveacupoftea，shegotmeinacornerandbegantotellmeallaboutthework。Itwasextremelyinteresting。Thenthematronobserved：
"AndwhatanangelMrs。Musgraveis!"
"Well，Ishouldhardlycallherthat，"saidI，withasmile。
"Oh，youmustn’tdepreciateher——you，ofallmen!"criedthematron，withasomewhatponderousarchness。"ReallyIenvyyouherconstantsociety。"
"Iassureyou，"saidI，"Iseeverylittleofher。"
"Ibegyourpardon？"
"Ionlygotothehouseaboutonceafortnight——Oh，it’snotmyfault。Shewon’thavemethereoftener。"
"Whatdoyoumean？Ibegyourpardon。PerhapsI’vetouchedonapainful——？"
"Notatall，notatall，"saidIsuavely。"Itisverynatural。
Iamneitheryoungnorhandsome，Mrs。Wiggins。Iamnotcomplaining。"
Thematrongazedatme。
"Onlyseeingherhere，"Ipursued，"youhavenoideaofwhatsheisathome。Shehaschosentoforbidmetocometoherhouse——"
"Herhouse？"
"Ithappenstobemorehersthanmine，"Iexplained。"Toforbidme，Isay，morethanoncetocometoherhouse。Nodoubtshehadherreasons。"
"Nothingcouldjustifyit，"saidthematron，directingawonderingglanceatMrs。Hilary。
"Donotletusblameher，"saidI。"Itisjustanunfortunateaccident。SheisnotasfondofmeasIcouldwish，Mrs。
Wiggins；andsheisagreatdealfonderthanIcouldwishof——"
Ibrokeoff。Mrs。Hilarywaswalkingtowardus。Ithinkshewaspleasedtoseemegettingonsowellwiththematron，forshewassmilingpleasantly。Thematronworeabewilderedexpression。
"Isuppose，"saidMrs。Hilary，"thatyou’lldrivebackwiththeMicklehams？"
"Unlessyouwantme，"saidI，keepingawatchfuleyeonthematron。
"Oh，Idon’twantyou，"saidMrs。Hilarylightly。
"Youwon’tbealonethisevening？"Iaskedanxiously。
Mrs。Hilarystaredalittle。
"O，no!"shesaid。"Weshallhaveourusualparty。"
"MayIcomeonedaynextweek？"Iaskedhumbly。
Mrs。Hilarythoughtforamoment。
"I’msobusynextweek——cometheweekafter，"saidshe，givingmeherhand。
"That’sveryunkind，"saidI。
"Nonsense!"saidMrs。Hilary，andsheadded，"Mindyouletmeknowwhenyou’recoming。"
"Iwon’tsurpriseyou，"Iassuredher，withacovertglanceatthematron。
Theexcellentwomanwasquiteredintheface，andcouldgaspoutnothingbut"Goodbye，"asMrs。Hilaryaffectionatelypressedherhand。
AtthismomentDollycameup。Shewasalone。
"Where’sArchie？"Iasked。
"He’srunaway；he’sgottomeetsomebody。Iknewyou’dseemehome。Mrs。Hilarydidn’twantyou，ofcourse？"
"Ofcoursenot，"saidIplaintively。
"Besides，you’drathercomewithme，wouldn’tyou？"pursuedDolly，andsheadded，pleasantlytothematron，"Mrs。Hilary’ssodownonhim，youknow。"
"I’dmuchrathercomewithyou，"saidI。
"We’llhaveacozydrivealltoourselves，"saidDolly，"withouthusbandsorwivesoranythinghorrid。Isn’titnicetogetridofone’shusbandsometimes，Mrs。Wiggins？"
"Ihavethemisfortunetobeawidow，LadyMickleham，"saidMrs。
Wiggins。
Dolly’seyesresteduponherwithaninterestingexpression。I
knewthatshewasabouttoaskMrs。Wigginswhethershelikedtheconditionoflife，andIinterposedhastily，withasigh：
"Butyoucanlookbackonahappymarriage，Mrs。Wiggins？"
"Ididmybesttomakeitso，"saidshestiffly。
"Youareright，"saidI。"Eveninthefaceofunkindnessweshouldstrive——"
"Myhusband’snotunkind，"saidDolly。
"Ididn’tmeanyourhusband，"saidI。
"Whatyourpoorwifewoulddoifshecaredabuttonforyou，I
don’tknow，"observedDolly。
"IfIhadawifewhocaredforme，Ishouldbeabetterman，"
saidIsolemnly。
"Butyou’dprobablybeverydull，"saidDolly。"Andyouwouldn’tbeallowedtodrivewithme。"
"Perhapsit’sallforthebest，"saidI，brighteningup。
"Goodbye，Mrs。Wiggins。"
Dollywalkedon。Mrs。Wigginsheldmyhandforamoment。
"Youngman，"saidshesternly，"areyousureit’snotyourownfault？"
"I’mnotatallsure，Mrs。Wiggins，"saidI。"Butdon’tbedistressedaboutit。It’sofnoconsequence。Idon’tletitmakemeunhappy。Goodbye；somanythanks。Charminggirlsyouhavehere——especiallythatoneinthefifth——Imean，charming，allofthem。Goodbye。"
Ihastenedtothecarriage。Mrs。Wigginsstoodandwatched。I
gotinandsatdownbyDolly。
"Oh，Mrs。Wiggins，"saidDolly，dimpling，"don’ttellMrs。HilarythatArchiewasn’twithus，orweshallgetintotrouble。"Andsheaddedtome，"Areyouallright？"
"Rather!"saidIappreciatively；andwedroveoff，leavingMrs。
Wigginsonherdoorstep。
AfortnightlaterIwenttocallonMrs。Hilary。Aftersomeconversationsheremarked：
"I’mgoingtotheschoolagaintomorrow。"
"Really!"saidI。
"AndI’msodelighted——I’vepersuadedHilarytocome。"
Shepaused，andthenadded：
"Youreallyseemedinterestedlasttime。"
"Oh，Iwas。"
"Wouldyouliketocomeagaintomorrow？"
"No，Ithinknot，thanks，"saidIcarelessly。
"That’sjustlikeyou!"shesaidseverely。"Youneverdoanyrealgoodbecauseyouneversticktoanything。"
"Therearesomethingsonecan’tstickto，"saidI。
"Oh，nonsense!"saidMrs。Hilary。
Butthereare——andIdidn’tgo。
THEOTHERLADY
"Bythemerestchance，"Iobservedmeditatively，"Iattendedareceptionlastnight。"
"Iwenttothree，"saidLadyMickleham，selectingasardinesandwichwithcare。
"Imightnothavegone，"Imused，"Imighteasilynothavegone。"
"Ican’tseewhatdifferenceitwouldhavemadeifyouhadn’t，"
saidshe。
"Ithoughtthreetimesaboutgoing。It’sacuriousworld。"
"Whathappened？Youmaysmoke，youknow。"
"Ifellinlove，"saidI，lightingacigarette。
LadyMicklehamplacedherfeetonthefender——itwasachillyafternoon——andturnedherfacetome，shieldingitfromthefirewithherhandkerchief。
"Menofyourage，"sheremarked，"havenobusinesstobethinkingofsuchthings。"
"Iwasnotthinkingofit，"saidI。"Iwasthinkingofgoinghome。ThenIwasintroducedtoher。"
"Andyoustayedalittle，Isuppose？"
"Istayedtwohours——ortwominutes，——Iforgetwhich"；and，I
added，noddingmyheadatLadyMickleham，"Therewassomethingirresistibleaboutmelastnight。"
LadyMicklehamlaughed。
"Youseemverypleasedwithyourself，"shesaid，reachingforafantoreplacethehandkerchief。
"Yes，takecareofyourcomplexion，"saidIapprovingly。"Shehasalovelycomplexion。"
LadyMicklehamlaiddownthefan。
"Iamverypleasedwithmyself，"Icontinued。"Shewasdelightedwithme。"
"Isupposeyoutalkednonsensetoher。"
"IhavenottheleastideawhatItalkedtoher。Itwasquiteimmaterial。Thelanguageoftheeyes——"
"Oh，youmightbeaboy!"
"Iwas，"saidI，noddingagain。
Therewasalongsilence。Dollylookedatme；Ilookedatthefire。Ididnot，however，seethefire。Isawsomethingquitedifferent。
"Shelikedmeverymuch，"Iobserved，stretchingmyhandsouttowardtheblaze。
"Youabsurdoldman!——"saidDolly。"Wassheverycharming？"
"Shewasperfect。"
"How？Clever？"
Iwavedmyhandimpatiently。
"Pretty，Mr。Carter？"
"Why，ofcourse；theprettiestpictureIever——butthatgoeswithoutsaying。"
"Itwouldhavegonebetterwithoutsaying，"remarkedDolly。
"Considering——"
Tohaveasked"Consideringwhat？"wouldhavebeentheacmeofbadtaste。
Imerelysmiled，andwavedmyhandagain。
"You’requiteseriousaboutit，aren’tyou？"saidDolly。
"IshouldthinkIwas，"saidIindignantly。"Nottobeseriousinsuchamatteristowasteitutterly。"
"I’llcometothewedding，"saidDolly。
"Therewon’tbeawedding，"saidI。"ThereareReasons。"
"Oh!You’reveryunlucky，Mr。Carter。"
"That，"Iobserved，"isasitmaybe，LadyMickleham。"
"WeretheReasonsatthereception？"
"Theywere。Itmadenodifference。"
"It’sverycurious，"remarkedDollywithacompassionateair，"thatyoualwaysmanagetoadmirepeoplewhomsomebodyelsehasmarried。"
"Itwouldbeverycurious，"Irejoined，"ifsomebodyhadnotmarriedthepeoplewhomIadmire。Lastnight，though，Imadenothingofhissuddenremoval；myfancyriotedinaccidentaldeathsforhim。"
"Hewon’tdie，"saidDolly。
"Ihatethatsortofsuperstition，"saidIirritably。"He’sjustaslikelytodieasanyothermanis。"
"Hecertainlywon’tdie，"saidDolly。
"Well，Iknowhewon’t。Doletitalone，"saidI，muchexasperated。Itwasprobablyonlykindness，butDollysuddenlyturnedhereyesawayfrommeandfixedthemonthefire；shetookthefanupagainandtwirleditinherhand；aqueerlittlesmilebentherlips。
"Ihopethepoormanwon’tdie，"saidDollyinalowvoice。
"Ifhehaddiedlastnight!"Icriedlongingly。Then，witharegretfulshrugofmyshoulders，Iadded，"Lethimlivenowtothecrackofdoom!"
Somehowthisrestoredmygoodhumor。Iroseandstoodwithmybacktothefire，stretchingmyselfandsighingluxuriously。
Dollyleantbackinherchairandlaughedatme。
"Doyouexpecttobeforgiven？"sheasked。
"No，no，"saidI；"Ihadtoogoodanexcuse。"
"IwishI’dbeenthere——atthereception，Imean。"
"I’mextremelygladyouweren’t，LadyMickleham。AsitwasI
forgotallmytroubles。"
Dollyisnotresentful；shedidnotmindtheimplieddescription。
Sheleantback，smilingstill。Isighedagain，smiledatDolly，andtookmyhat。ThenIturnedtothemirroroverthemantelpiece，arrangedmynecktie，andgavemyhairatouch。
"Noone，"Iobserved，"canaffordtoneglectthenicetiesofthetoilet。Thosedaintylittlecurlsontheforehead——"
"You’vehadnonetherefortenyears，"criedLadyMickleham。
"Ididnotmeanmyforehead，"saidI。
Sighingonceagain，IheldoutmyhandtoDolly。
"Areyoudoinganythingthisevening？"sheasked。
"ThatdependsonwhatI’maskedtodo，"saidIcautiously。
"Well，Archie’sgoingtobeattheHouse，andIthoughtyoumighttakemetothePhaetons’party。It’squitealongdrive，ahorriblelongdrive，Mr。Carter。"
Istoodforamomentconsideringthisproposal。
"Idon’tthink，"saidI，"thatitwouldbeproper。"
"Why，Archiesuggestedit!You’remakinganexcuse。Youknowyouare!"andLadyMicklehamlookedveryindignant。"Asif，"sheaddedscornfully，"youcaredaboutwhatwasproper!"
Idroppedintoachair，andsaid，inaconfidentialtone，"I
don’tcareapin。Itwasamereexcuse。Idon’twanttocome。"
"You’reveryrude，indeed。Manywomenwouldneverspeaktoyouagain。"
"Theywould，"saidI，"alldojustasyouwill。"
"Andwhat’sthat，Mr。Carter。"
"Askmeagainonthefirstopportunity。"
"Whywon’tyoucome？"saidDolly，waivingthisquestion。
Ibentforward，holdingmyhatinmylefthandandsawingtheairwithmyrightforefinger。
"Youfailtoallow，"saidIimpressively，"fortherejuvenescencewhichrecenteventshaveproducedinme。IfIcamewithyouthisevening，Ishouldbequitecapable——"Ipaused。
"Ofanythingdreadful？"askedDolly。
"Ofpayingyoupronouncedattentions，"saidIgravely。
"That，"saidDollywithequalgravity，"wouldbeveryregrettable。Itwouldbeunjusttome——andveryinsultingtoher，Mr。Carter。"
"Itwouldbethefinesttestimonialtoher，"Icried。
"Andyou’llspendtheeveningthinkingofher？"askedDolly。
"Ishallgothroughtheevening，"saidI，"inthebestwayI
can。"AndIsmiledcontentedly。
"What’sherhusband？"askedDollysuddenly。
"Herhusband，"Irejoined，"isnothingatall。"
Dolly，receivingthisanswer，lookedatmewithapatheticair。
"It’snotquitefair，"sheobserved。"DoyouknowwhatI’mthinkingabout，Mr。Carter？"
"CertainlyIdo，LadyMickleham。Youarethinkingthatyouwouldliketomeetmeforthefirsttime。"
"Notatall。Iwasthinkingthatitwouldbeamusingifyoumetmeforthefirsttime。"
Isaidnothing。Dollyroseandwalkedtothewindow。Sheswungthetasseloftheblindanditbumpedagainstthewindow。Thefailingsuncaughtherruddybrownhair。Therewerecurlsonherforehead，too。
"It’sagrandworld，"saidI。"And，afterall，onecangrowoldverygradually。"
"You’renotreallyold，"saidDolly，withthefleetestglanceatme。Aglanceshouldnotbeover—long。
"Graduallyanddisgracefully，"Imurmured。
"Ifyoumetmeforthefirsttime——"saidDolly，swingingthetassel。
"ByHeaven，itshouldbethelast!"Icried，andIrosetomyfeet。
Dollyletthetasselgo，andmademeaveryprettycurtsey。
"Iamgoingtoanotherpartytonight，"saidI，noddingmyheadsignificantly。
"Ah!"saidDolly。
"AndIshallagain，"Ipursued，"spendmytimewiththeprettiestwomanintheroom。"
"Shallyou？"askedDolly，smiling。
"Iamaveryfortunatefellow，"Iobserved。"AndasforMrs。
Hilary，shemaysaywhatshelikes。"
"Oh，doesMrs。HilaryknowtheOtherLady？"
Iwalkedtowardthedoor。
"Thereis，"saidI，layingmyhandonthedoor，"noOtherLady。"
"Ishallgetthereabouteleven，"saidDolly。
WHATMIGHTHAVEBEEN
UnfortunatelyitwasSunday；thereforethegardenerscouldnotbeorderedtoshiftthelongrowofflowerpotsfromthesideoftheterracenextthehouse，whereDollyhadorderedthemtobeput，tothesideremotefromthehouse，whereDollynowwishedthemtostand。YetDollycouldnotthinkoflivingwiththepotswheretheyweretillMonday。Itwouldkillher，shesaid。SoArchieleftthecoolshadeofthegreattrees，whereDollysatdoingnothing，andNelliePhaetonsatsplicingthegigwhip，andIlayinadeckchairwithsomethingicedbesideme。OutsidethesunwasbroilinghotandpoorArchiemoppedhisbrowateverywearyjourneyacrossthebroadterrace。
"It’saburning’shame，Dolly，"saidMissPhaeton。"Iwouldn’tdoitifIwerehim。"
"Oh，yes，youwould，dear，"saidDolly。"Thepotslookedatrociousonthatside。"
Itookalongsipfrommyglass，andobservedinameditativetone：
"Therebutforthegraceofwoman，goesSamuelTraversCarter。"
Dolly’slazylidshalflifted。MissPhaetonmumbled（Hermouthwasfulloftwine）：
"WhatDOyoumean？"
"Nemoomnibushorissapit，"saidIapologetically。
"Idon’tknowwhatthatmeanseither。"
"Nemo——everybody，"Itranslated，"sapit——hasbeeninlove——omnibus——once——horis——atleast。"
"Oh，andyoumeanshewouldn’thaveyou？"askedNellie，withbluntdirectness。
"Notquitethat，"saidI。"They——"
"THEY？"murmuredDolly，withhalf—liftedlids。
"THEY，"Ipursued，"regretfullyrecognizedmyimpossibility。
HenceIamnotcarryingpotsacrossabroadterraceunderahotsun。"
"Whydidtheythinkyouimpossible？"askedMissPhaeton，whotakesmuchinterrestinthissortofquestion。
"Avarietyofreasons：forone，Iwastooclever，foranother，toostupid；forothers，toogood——ortoobad；tooserious——ortoofrivolous；toopooror——"
"Well，nooneobjectedtoyourmoney，Isuppose？"interruptedNellie。
"Pardonme。Iwasabouttosay’ornotrichenough。’"
"Butthat’sthesamething。"
"Theantithesisiscertainlyimperfect，"Iadmitted。
"Mr。Gay，"saidNellie，introducingthenamewithsometimidity，"youknowwhoImean？——thepoet——oncesaidtomethatmanwasessentiallyimperfectuntilhewasmarried。"
"Itistrue，"Iagreed。"Andwomanuntilsheisdead。"
"Idon’tthinkhemeantitquiteinthatsense，"saidNellie，ratherpuzzled。
"Idon’tthinkhemeantitinanysense，"murmuredDolly，alittleunkindly。
WemighthavegoneontalkinginthiswayforeversolonghadnotArchieatthispointdroppedalargeflowerpotandsmashedittobits。Hestoodlookingatthebitsforamoment，andthencametowardsusandsankintoachair。
"I’moff!"heannounced。
"Andhalfareononeside，andhalfontheother，"saidDolly，regretfully。
Asuddenimpulseseizedme。Igotup，putonmystrawhat，tookoffmycoat，walkedoutintothesun，andbegantomoveflowerpotsacrossthebroadterrace。IheardalaughfromArchie，alittlecryfromDolly，andfromNelliePhaeton，"Goodness，what’shedoingthatfor？"Iwasnotturnedfrommypurpose。Theluncheonbellrang。MissPhaeton，whipandtwineinhand，walkedintothehouse。Archiefollowedher，sayingashepassedthathehopedIshouldn’tfinditwarm。Iwentonshiftingtheflowerpots。Theywereveryheavy。Ibroketwo，butIwenton。
PresentlyDollyputupherparasolandcameoutfromtheshadetowatchme。Shestoodthereforamomentortwo。Then，shesaid：
"Well，doyouthinkyou’dlikeit，Mr。Carter？"
"WaittillI’vefinished，"saidI，wavingmyhand。
Anothertenminutessawtheendofmytask。PantingandhotI
soughttheshade，andflungmyselfontomydeckchairagain。I
alsolitacigarette。
"Ithinktheylookedbetterontheotherside，afterall，"saidDollymeditatively。
"Ofcourseyoudo，"saidIurbanely。"Youneedn’ttellmethat"
"Perhapsyou’dliketomovethemback，"shesuggested。
"No，"saidI。"I’vedoneenoughtocreatetheimpression。"
"Andhowdidyoulikeit？"
"Itwas，"saidI，"initswayapleasantenoughillusion。"AndI
shruggedmyshoulders，andblewaringofsmoke。
Tomyveryconsiderablegratification，Dolly’stonemanifestedsomeannoyanceassheasked：
"Whydoyousay，’initsway’？"
"Because，inspiteofthemomentarypleasureIgainedfromfeelingmyselfamarriedman，Icouldnotbanishtheideathatweshouldnotpermanentlysuitoneanother。"
"Oh，youthoughtthat？"saidDolly，smilingagain。
"Imustconfessit，"saidI。"Thefault，Iknow，wouldbemine。"
"I’msureofthat，"saidDolly。
"ButthefactisthatIcan’texistintoohighaltitudes。Therarefactionofthemoralatmosphere——"
"Pleasedon’tuseallthoselongwords。"
"Well，then，toputitplainly，"saidI，withapleasantsmile，"IfeltallthetimethatMrs。Hilarywouldbetoogoodforme。"
ItisnotveryoftenthatitfallstomyhumblelottostartleLadyMicklehamoutofhercomposure。Butatthispointshesatupquitestraightinherchair；hercheekflushed，andhereyelidsceasedtodroopinindolentinsouciance。
"Mrs。Hilary!"shesaid。"WhathasMrs。Hilary——？
"Ireallythoughtyouunderstood，"saidI，"theobjectofmyexperiment。"
Dollyglancedatme。Ibelievethatmyexpressionwasabsolutelyinnocent——andIam，ofcoursesurethathersexpressedmeresurprise。
"Ithought，"shesaid，afterapause，"thatyouwerethinkingofNelliePhaeton。"
"Oh，Isee，"criedIsmiling。"Anaturalmistake，tobesure。"
"Shethoughtsotoo，"pursuedDolly，bitingherlip。
"Didshethough？"
"AndI’msureshe’dbequiteannoyedifshethoughtyouwerethinkingofMrs。Hilary。"
"Asamatteroffact，"Iobserved，"shedidn’tunderstandwhatI
wasdoingatall。"
Dollyleantback。Therelicsofafrownstilldweltonherbrow；
presently，however，shebegantoswingherhatonherforefinger，andshethrewalookatme。Iimmediatelylookeduptowardthebranchesabovemyhead。
"Wemightaswellgointolunch，"saidDolly。
"Byallmeans，"Iacquiesced，withalacrity。
Wewentoutintothesunshine，andcamewherethepotswere。
SuddenlyDollysaid：
"Gobackandsitdownagain，Mr。Carter。"
"Iwantmylunch，"Iventuredtoobserve。
"DoasItellyou，"saidDolly，stampingherfoot；whereat，muchintimidated，Iwentback，andstretchedmyselfoncemoreonthedeckchair。
Dollyapproachedaflowerpot。Shestoopeddown，exertingherstrength，liftedit，andcarriedit，notwithouteffort，acrosstheterrace。
Againshedidthelike。Isatsmokingandwatching。Sheliftedathirdpot，butdroppedithalfway。Then，dustingherhandsagainstoneanother，shecamebackslowlyintotheshadeandsatdown。Imadenoremark。
Dollyglancedatme。
"Well？"shesaid。
"Woman——woman——woman!"saidIsadly。
"MustIcarrysomemore？"askedDolly，inahumble，yetprotesting，tone。
"Mrs。Hilary，"Ibegan，"isanexceedinglyattractive——"
Dollyrosewithasigh。
"Whereareyougoing？"Iasked。
"Morepots，"saidDolly，standingoppositeme。"Imustgoon，yousee。"
"Tillwhen，LadyMickleham？"
"Tillyoutellthetruth，"saidDolly，andshesuddenlyburstintoalittlelaugh。
"Woman——woman——woman!"saidIagain。"Let’sgointolunch。"
"I’mgoingtocarrythepots，"saidDolly。"It’sawfullyhot，Mr。Carter——andlookatmypoorhands!"
Sheheldthemouttome。
"Lunch!"saidI。
"Pots!"saidDolly，withinfinitefirmness。
ThewindowofthediningroomopenedandArchieputhisheadout。
"Comealong，youtwo，"hecalled。"Everything’sgettingcold。"
Dollyturnedanappealingglanceonme。
"Howobstinateyouare!"shesaid。"Youknowperfectlywell——"
Ibegantowalktowardsthehouse。
"I’mgoingintolunch，"saidI。
"Askthemtokeepsomeforme，"saidDolly，andsheturnedupthesleevesofhergown，tillherwristswerefree。
"It’smostunfair，"saidIindignantly。
"Idon’tcareifitis，"saidDolly，stoopingdowntoliftapot。
Iwatchedherstraintoliftit。Shehadchosenthelargestandheaviest；shesigheddelicatelyanddelicatelyshepanted。Shealsolookedatherhands，andheldthemupformetoseethelinesofbrownonthepink。Iputmyhandsinmypocketsandsaidmostsulkily，asIturnedawaytowardsthehouse：
"Allright。Itwasn’tMrs。Hilarythen。"
Dollyroseup，seizedmebythearm，andmademeruntothehouse。
"Mr。Carter，"shecried，"wouldstopforthosewretchedpots。
He’smovedallexcepttwo，buthe’sbrokenthree。Isn’thestupid？"
"Youareanoldass，Carter，"saidArchie。
"Ibelieveyou’reright，Archie，"saidI。
ONEWAYIN
Ihadaverycuriousdreamtheothernight。Infact，IdreamtthatIwasdead。Ipassedthroughagreenbaizedoorandfoundmyselfinasmallsquareroom。Oppositemewasanotherdoorinscribed"ElysianFields，"andinfrontofit，atalargetablewitharaisedledge，satRhadamanthus。AsIenteredIsawagracefulfigurevanishthroughthedooropposite。
"It’snousetryingtodeceiveme，"Iobserved。"ThatwasMrs。
Hilary，Ithink；ifyoudon’tmind，I’lljoinher。"
"I’mafraidImusttroubleyoutotakeaseatforafewmoments，Mr。Carter，"saidRhadamanthus，"whileIrunoveryourlittleaccount。"
"Anyformalitieswhichareusual，"Imurmuredpolitely，asIsatdown。
Rhadamanthusturnedovertheleavesofalargebook。
"Carter——SamuelTravers，isn’tit？"heasked。
"Yes。Forgoodnesssakedon’tconfusemewithVincentCarter。
Heonlypaidfiveshillingsinthepound。"
"Yourcasepresentssomepeculiarfeatures，Mr。Carter，"saidRhadamanthus。"IhopeIamnotcensorious，but——well，thatfineatBowstreet？"
"Iwasamereboy，"saidI，withsomewarmth，"andmysolicitorgrosslymismanagedthecase……"
"Well，well!"saidhesoothingly。"Buthaven’tyouspentagreatdealoftimeatMonteCarlo？"
"Amanmustbesomewhere，"saidI。
Rhadamanthusscratchedhisnose。
"Ishouldhavewastedthemoneyanyhow，"Iadded。
"Isupposeyouwould，"heconceded。"ButwhatofthiscaveatlodgedbytheDowagerLadyMickleham？That’sratherserious，youknow；isn’titnow——jokingapart？"
"Iamdisappointed，"Iremarked，"tofindamanofyourexperiencepayinganyattentiontosuchanill—naturedoldwoman。"
"Wehaveourrules，"hereplied，"andI’mafraid，Mr。Carter，thatuntilthatcaveatisremoved——"
"Youdon’tmeanthat？"
"Really，I’mafraidso。"
"ThenImayaswellgoback，"saidI，takingmyhat。
Atthismomenttherewasaknockatthedoor。
"AlthoughIcan’tobligeyouwithanorderofadmission，"saidRhadamanthus，verycivilly，"perhapsitwouldamuseyoutolistentoacaseortwo。There’snohurry，youknow。You’vegotlotsoftimebeforeyou。"
"Itwillbeanextremelyinterestingexperience，"saidI，sittingdownagain。
Thedooropened，and，asIexpected（Idon’tknowwhy，butithappenslikethatindreams），DollyMicklehamcamein。Shedidnotseemtoseeme。ShebowedtoRhadamanthus，smiled，andtookachairimmediatelyoppositethetable。
"Mickleham——Dorothea——Countessof——"shesaid。
"Formerly，Ithink，DollyFoster？"askedRhadamanthus。
"Idon’tseewhatthat’sgottodowithit，"saidDolly。
"Theaccountrunson，"heexplained，andbegantoconsulthisbigbook。Dollyleantbackinherchair，slowlypeelingoffhergloves。Rhadamanthusshutthebookwithabang。
"It’snottheleastuse，"hesaiddecisively。"Itwouldn’tbekindtopretendthatitwas，LadyMickleham。"
"Dear，dear，"saidDolly。"What’sthematter？"
"HalfthewomeninLondonhavepetitionedagainstyou。"
"Havethey，really？"criedDolly，toallappearanceratherdelighted。"Whatdotheysay，Mr。Rhadamanthus？Isitinthatbook？Letmelook。"Andsheheldoutherhand。
"Thebook’stooheavyforyoutohold，"saidhe。
"I’llcomeround，"saidDolly。Soshewentroundandleantoverhisshoulderandreadthebook。
"What’sthatscentyou’vegoton？"askedRhadamanthus。
"Bouquetdudiable，"saidshe。（Ihadneverheardoftheperfumebefore。）"Isn’titsweet？"
"Ihaven’tsmeltitsinceIwasaboy，"sighedRhadamanthus。
"Pooroldthing，"saidDolly。"I’mnotgoingtoreadallthis，youknow。"And，withasomewhatcontemptuoussmile，shewalkedbacktoherchair。"Theyoughttobeashamedofthemselves，"sheadded，asshesatdown。"It’sjustbecauseI’mnotafright。"
"Aren’tyouafright？"askedRhadamanthus。"Wherearemyspectacles？"
HeputthemonandlookedatDolly。
"Imustgoin，youknow，"saidDolly，smilingatRhadamanthus。
"Myhusbandhasgonein!"
"Ishouldn’thavethoughtyou’dconsiderthatconclusive，"saidhe，withatouchofsatireinhistone。
"Don’tbehorrid，"saidDolly，pouting。
Therewasapause。RhadamanthusexaminedDollythroughhisspectacles。
"Thisisaverypainfulduty，"saidhe，atlast。"Ihavesathereforagreatmanyyears，andIhaveseldomhadamorepainfulduty。"
"It’sveryabsurdofyou，"saidDolly。
"Ican’thelpit，though，"saidhe。
"DoyoureallymeanthatI’mnottogoin？"
"Ido，indeed，"saidRhadamanthus。
Dollyrose。Sheleantherarmsontheraisedledgewhichranalongthetable，andsheleantherchinonherhands。
"Really？"shesaid。
"Really，"saidhe，lookingtheotherway。
AsuddenchangecameoverDolly’sface。Herdimplesvanished；
hereyesgrewpatheticandbegantoshineratherthantosparkle；
herlipquiveredjustalittle。
"You’reveryunkind，"shesaidinanextremelylowtone。"Ihadnoideayouwouldbesounkind。"
Rhadamanthusseemedveryuncomfortable。
"Don’tdothat，"hesaid，quitesharply，fidgetingwiththeblottingpaper。
Dollybegantomoveslowlyroundthetable。Rhadamanthussatstill。Whenshewasstandingclosebyhim，sheputherhandlightlyonhisarmandsaid：
"Pleasedo，Mr。Rhadamanthus。"
"It’sasmuchasmyplaceisworth，"hegrumbled。
Dolly’seyesshonestill，butthefaintestlittlesmilebegantoplayabouthermouth。
"Someday，"shesaid（withtotalinappropriateness，nowIcometothinkofit，thoughitdidnotstrikemesoatthetime），"you’llbegladtorememberhavingdoneakindthing。Whenyou’reold——becauseyouarenotreallyoldnow——youwillsay，’I’mgladIdidn’tsendpoorDollyMicklehamawaycrying。’"
Rhadamanthusutteredaninarticulatesound——halfimpatience，half，Ifancy，somethingelse。
"Wearenoneofusperfect，Idaresay。IfIaskedyourwife——"
"Ihaven’tgotawife，"saidRhadamanthus。
"That’swhyyou’resohard—hearted，"saidDolly。"Amanwho’sgotawifeisneverhardonotherwomen。"
Therewasanotherpause。ThenRhadamanthus，lookingstraightattheblottingpaper，said：
"Oh，well，don’tbotherme。Beoffwithyou；"andashespoke，thedoorbehindhimopened。
"Oh，youolddear!"shecried；and，stoopingswiftly，shekissedRhadamanthus。"You’rehorriblybristly!"shelaughed；andthen，beforehecouldmove，sheranthroughthedoor。
Irosefrommyseat，takingmyhatandstickinmyhand。Ifelt，asyoumaysuppose，thatIhadbeentherelongenough。WhenI
movedRhadamanthuslookedup，andwithanattemptatunconsciousnessobserved：
"Wewillproceedwithyourcasenow，ifyouplease，Mr。Carter。"
Ilookedhimfullintheface。Rhadamanthusblushed。Ipursuedmywaytowardsthedoor。
"Stop!"hesaid，inablusteringtone。"Youcan’tgothere，youknow。"
Ismiledsignificantly。
"Isn’titrathertoolateforthatsortofthing？"Iasked。"YouseemtoforgetthatIhavebeenhereforthelastquarterofanhour。"
"Ididn’tknowshewasgoingtodoit，"heprotested。
"Oh，ofcourse，"saidI，"thatwillbeyourstory。Mine，however，Ishalltellinmyownway。"
Rhadamanthusblushedagain。Evidentlyhefeltthathewasinadelicateposition。Wewerestandingthus，facingoneanother，whenthedoorbegantoopenagain，andDollyputherheadout。
"Oh，it’syou，isit？"shesaid。"IthoughtIheardyourvoice。
ComealongandhelpmetofindArchie。"
"ThisgentlemansaysI’mnottocomein，"saidI。
"Oh，whatnonsense!Now，youreallymustn’tbesilly，Mr。
Rhadamanthus——orIshallhaveto——Mr。Carter，youweren’tthere，wereyou？"
"Iwas——andamoreinterestingpieceofscandalithasseldombeen——"
"Hush!Ididn’tdoanything。Now，youknowIdidn’t，Mr。
Carter!"
"No，"saidI，"youdidn’t。ButRhadamanthus，takingyouunawares——"
"Oh，beoffwithyou——bothofyou!"criedRhadamanthus。
"That’ssensible，"saidDolly。"Becauseyouknow，therereallyisn’tanyharminpoorMr。Carter。
Rhadamanthusvanished。DollyandIwentinside。
"Isupposeeverythingwillbeverydifferenthere，"saidDolly，andIthinkshesighed。
WhetheritwereornotIdon’tknow，forjustthenIawoke，andfoundmyselfsayingaloud，inanswertothedreamvoiceandthedreamface（whichhadnotgonealtogetherwiththedream）。
"Noteverything"——aspeechthat，Iagree，Ioughtnottohavemade，eventhoughitwereonlyinadream。
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