INMEMORYOFMANYHOTDAYSANDSOMEHOTCORNERS
THISBOOKISDEDICATEDTO
LT-COL。ARTHURH。LEE，R。A。
BritishMilitaryAttachewiththeUnitedStatesArmyContentsTHELIONANDTHEUNICORN
ONTHEFEVERSHIP
THEMANWITHONETALENT
THEVAGRANT
THELASTRIDETOGETHER
THELIONANDTHEUNICORN
Prentisshadalongleaseonthehouse，andbecauseitstoodinJermynStreettheupperfloorswere，asamatterofcourse，turnedintolodgingsforsinglegentlemen;andbecausePrentisswasaFloristtotheQueen，heplacedalionandunicornoverhisflowershop，justinfrontofthemiddlewindowonthefirstfloor。Bystretchingalittle，eachofthemcouldseeintothewindowjustbeyondhim，andcouldhearallthatwassaidinside;
andsuchthingsastheysawandheardduringthereignofCaptainCarrington，whomovedinatthesametimetheydid！Bydaythetableinthecentreoftheroomwascoveredwithmaps，andtheCaptainsatwithaboxofpins，withdifferent-coloredflagswrappedaroundthem，andamusedhimselfbystickingtheminthemapsandmeasuringthespacesinbetween，swearingmeanwhiletohimself。Itwasaselfishamusement，butitappearedtobetheCaptain’sonlyintellectualpursuit，foratnight，themapswererolledup，andagreenclothwasspreadacrossthetable，andtherewasmuchcompanyandpoppingofsoda-bottles，andlittleheapsofgoldandsilverweremovedthiswayandthatacrossthecloth。Thesmokedriftedoutoftheopenwindows，andthelaughteroftheCaptain’sguestsrangoutloudlyintheemptystreet，sothatthepolicemanhaltedandraisedhiseyesreprovinglytothelightedwindows，andcabmendrewupbeneaththemandlayinwait，dozingontheirfoldedarms，fortheCaptain’sgueststodepart。TheLionandtheUnicornwereratherashamedofthescandalofit，andtheyweregladwhen，oneday，theCaptainwentawaywithhistinboxesandgun-casespiledhighonafour-wheeler。
Prentissstoodonthesidewalkandsaid："Iwishyougoodluck，sir。"AndtheCaptainsaid："I’mcomingbackaMajor，Prentiss。"Buthenevercameback。Andoneday——theLionrememberedthedayverywell，foronthatsamedaythenewsboysranupanddownJermynStreetshoutingoutthenewsof"a’orribledisaster"totheBritisharms。Itwasthenthatayoungladycametothedoorinahansom，andPrentisswentouttomeetherandledherupstairs。TheyheardhimunlocktheCaptain’sdoorandsay，"Thisishisroom，miss，"andafterhehadgonetheywatchedherstandingquitestillbythecentretable。Shestoodthereforaverylongtimelookingslowlyabouther，andthenshetookaphotographoftheCaptainfromtheframeonthemantelandslippeditintoherpocket，andwhenshewentoutagainherveilwasdown，andshewascrying。ShemusthavegivenPrentissasmuchasasovereign，forhecalledher"Yourladyship，"whichheneverdidunderasovereign。
Andshedroveoff，andtheyneversawheragaineither，norcouldtheyheartheaddressshegavethecabman。ButitwassomewhereupSt。John’sWoodway。
Afterthattheroomswereemptyforsomemonths，andtheLionandtheUnicornwereforcedtoamusethemselveswiththebeautifulladiesandsmart-lookingmenwhocametoPrentisstobuyflowersand"buttonholes，"andthelittleroundbasketsofstrawberries，andeventhepeachesatthreeshillingseach，whichlookedsotemptingastheylayinthewindow，wrappedupincotton-wool，likejewelsofgreatprice。
ThenPhilipCarroll，theAmericangentleman，came，andtheyheardPrentisstellinghimthatthoseroomshadalwaysletforfiveguineasaweek，whichtheyknewwasnottrue;buttheyalsoknewthatintheeconomyofnationstheremustalwaysbeahigherpricefortherichAmerican，orelsewhywashegiventhatstrangeaccent，excepttobetrayhimintothehandsoftheLondonshopkeeper，andtheLondoncabby？
TheAmericanwalkedtothewindowtowardthewest，whichwasthewindownearesttheLion，andlookedoutintothegraveyardofSt。
James’sChurch，thatstretchedbetweentheirstreetandPiccadilly。
"You’reluckyinhavingabitofgreentolookouton，"hesaidtoPrentiss。"I’lltaketheserooms——atfiveguineas。That’smorethanthey’reworth，youknow，butasIknowit，too，yourconscienceneedn’ttroubleyou。"
ThenhiseyesfellontheLion，andhenoddedtohimgravely。
"Howdoyoudo？"hesaid。"I’mcomingtolivewithyouforalittletime。Ihavereadaboutyouandyourfriendsoverthere。
Itisahazardofnewfortuneswithme，yourMajesty，sobekindtome，andifIwin，Iwillputanewcoatofpaintonyourshieldandgildyoualloveragain。"
PrentisssmiledobsequiouslyattheAmerican’spleasantry，butthenewlodgeronlystaredathim。
"Heseemedasocialgentleman，"saidtheUnicorn，thatnight，whentheLionandheweretalkingitover。"NowtheCaptain，thewholetimehewashere，nevergaveussomuchasalook。Thisonesayshehasreadofus。"
"Andwhynot？"growledtheLion。"IhopePrentissheardwhathesaidofourneedinganewlayerofgilt。It’sdisgraceful。YoucanseethatLionoverScarlett’s，thebutcher，asfarasRegentStreet，andScarlettisonlyoneofSalisbury’screations。HereceivedhisLetters-Patentonlytwoyearsback。WedatefromPalmerston。"
Thelodgercameupthestreetjustatthatmoment，andstoppedandlookedupattheLionandtheUnicornfromthesidewalk，beforeheopenedthedoorwithhisnight-key。Theyheardhimentertheroomandfeelonthemantelforhispipe，andamomentlaterheappearedattheLion’swindowandleanedonthesill，lookingdownintothestreetbelowandblowingwhiffsofsmokeupintothewarmnight-air。
ItwasanightinJune，andthepavementsweredryunderfootandthestreetswerefilledwithwell-dressedpeople，goinghomefromtheplay，andwithgroupsofmeninblackandwhite，makingtheirwaytosupperattheclubs。Hansomsofinky-black，withshininglampsinsideandout，dashednoiselesslypastonmysteriouserrands，chasingcloseoneachother’sheelsonamadrace，eachtoitsseparategoal。Fromthecrossstreetsrosethenoisesofearlynight，therumbleofthe’buses，thecreakingoftheirbrakes，astheyunlocked，thecriesofthe"extras，"andthemergingofthousandsofhumanvoicesinadullmurmur。ThegreatworldofLondonwasclosingitsshuttersforthenight，andputtingoutthelights;andthenewlodgerfromacrossthesealistenedtoitwithhisheartbeatingquickly，andlaughedtostiflethetouchoffearandhomesicknessthatroseinhim。
"Ihaveseenagreatplayto-night，"hesaidtotheLion，"noblyplayedbygreatplayers。Whatwilltheycareformypoorwares？
IseethatIhavebeenover-bold。Butwecannotgobacknow——notyet。"
Heknockedtheashesoutofhispipe，andnodded"good-night"tothegreatworldbeyondhiswindow。"Whatfortunesliewithye，yelightsofLondontown？"hequoted，smiling。Andtheyheardhimclosethedoorofhisbedroom，andlockitforthenight。
ThenextmorningheboughtmanygeraniumsfromPrentissandplacedthemalongthebroadcornicethatstretchedacrossthefrontofthehouseovertheshopwindow。TheflowersmadeabandofscarletoneithersideoftheLionasbrilliantasaTommy’sjacket。
"IamtryingtopropitiatetheBritishLionbyplacingflowersbeforehisaltar，"theAmericansaidthatmorningtoavisitor。
"TheBritishpublicyoumean，"saidthevisitor;"theyareeachlikelytotearyoutopieces。"
"Yes，Ihaveheardthatthepitonthefirstnightofabadplayissomethingawful，"hazardedtheAmerican。
"Waitandsee，"saidthevisitor。
"Thankyou，"saidtheAmerican，meekly。
Everyonewhocametothefirstfloorfronttalkedaboutaplay。
ItseemedtobesomethingofgreatmomenttotheAmerican。Itwasonlyabundleofleavesprintedinredandblackinksandboundinbrownpapercovers。Thereweretwoofthem，andtheAmericancalledthembydifferentnames：onewashiscomedyandonewashistragedy。
"Theyarebothlikelytobetragedies，"theLionheardoneofthevisitorssaytoanother，astheydroveawaytogether。"Ouryoungfriendtakesittooseriously。"
TheAmericanspentmostofhistimebyhisdeskatthewindowwritingonlittlebluepadsandtearingupwhathewrote，orinreadingoveroneoftheplaystohimselfinaloudvoice。Intimethenumberofhisvisitorsincreased，andtosomeofthesehewouldreadhisplay;andaftertheyhadlefthimhewaseitherdepressedandsilentorexcitedandjubilant。TheLioncouldalwaystellwhenhewashappybecausethenhewouldgotothesidetableandpourhimselfoutadrinkandsay，"Here’stome，"butwhenhewasdepressedhewouldstandholdingtheglassinhishand，andfinallypourtheliquorbackintothebottleagainandsay，"What’stheuseofthat？"
AfterhehadbeeninLondonamonthhewrotelessandwasmorefrequentlyabroad，sallyingforthinbeautifulraiment，andcominghomebydaylight。
Andhegavesupperstoo，buttheywerelessnoisythantheCaptain’shadbeen，andthewomenwhocametothemweremuchmorebeautiful，andtheirvoiceswhentheyspokeweresweetandlow。
Sometimesoneofthewomensang，andthemensatinsilencewhilethepeopleinthestreetbelowstoppedtolisten，andwouldsay，"Why，thatisSo-and-Sosinging，"andtheLionandtheUnicornwonderedhowtheycouldknowwhoitwaswhentheycouldnotseeher。
Thelodger’svisitorscametoseehimatallhours。Theyseemedtoregardhisroomsasaclub，wheretheycouldalwayscomeforabitetoeatortowritenotes;andotherstreateditlikealawyer’sofficeandaskedadviceonallmannerofstrangesubjects。SometimesthevisitorwantedtoknowwhethertheAmericanthoughtsheoughttotakeL？0aweekandgoontour，orstayintownandtrytoliveonL？;orwhethersheshouldpaintlandscapesthatwouldnotsell，orracehorsesthatwould;orwhetherReggiereallylovedherandwhethershereallylovedReggie;orwhetherthenewpartinthepieceattheCourtwasbetterthantheoldpartatTerry’s，andwasn’tshegettingtoooldtoplay"ingenues"anyway。
Thelodgerseemedtobeageneraladviser，andsmokedandlistenedwithgraveconsideration，andtheUnicornthoughthisjudgmentwasmostsympatheticandsensible。
OfallthebeautifulladieswhocametocallonthelodgertheonetheUnicornlikedthebestwastheonewhowantedtoknowwhethershelovedReggieandwhetherReggielovedher。ShediscussedthissointerestinglywhilesheconsumedteaandthinslicesofbreadthattheUnicornalmostlosthisbalanceinleaningforwardtolisten。HernamewasMarionCavendishanditwaswrittenovermanyphotographswhichstoodinsilverframesinthelodger’srooms。Sheusedtomaketheteaherself，whilethelodgersatandsmoked;andshehadafascinatingwayofdoublingthethinslicesofbreadintolongstripsandnibblingatthemlikeamouseatapieceofcheese。ShehadwonderfullittleteethandCupid’s-bowlips，andshehadafashionofliftingherveilonlyhighenoughforonetoseethetwoCupid-bowlips。
WhenshedidthattheAmericanusedtolaugh，atnothingapparently，andsay，"Oh，IguessReggielovesyouwellenough。"
"ButdoIloveReggie？"shewouldasksadly，withhertea-cupheldpoisedinair。
"IamsureIhopenot，"thelodgerwouldreply，andshewouldputdowntheveilquickly，asonewoulddropacurtainoverabeautifulpicture，andrisewithgreatdignityandsay，"ifyoutalklikethatIshallnotcomeagain。"
ShewassurethatifshecouldonlygetsomeworktodoherheadwouldbefilledwithmoreimportantmattersthanwhetherReggielovedherornot。
"Butthemanagersseeminclinedtocuttheircavendishveryfinejustatpresent，"shesaid。"IfIdon’tgetapartsoon，"sheannounced，"IshallaskMitchelltoputmedownonthelistforrecitationsateveningparties。"
"Thatseemsadesperaterevenge，"saidtheAmerican;"andbesides，Idon’twantyoutogetapart，becausesomeonemightbeidioticenoughtotakemycomedy，andifheshould，youmustplayNancy。"
"IwouldnotaskforanysalaryifIcouldplayNancy，"MissCavendishanswered。
Theyspokeofagreatmanythings，buttheirtalkalwaysendedbyhersayingthattheremustbesomeonewithsufficientsensetoseethathisplaywasagreatplay，andbyhissayingthatnonebutshemustplayNancy。
TheLionpreferredthetallgirlwithmassesandfoldsofbrownhair，whocamefromAmericatopaintminiaturesoftheBritisharistocracy。HernamewasHelenCabot，andhelikedherbecauseshewassobraveandfearless，andsodeterminedtobeindependentofeveryone，evenofthelodger——especiallyofthelodger，whoitappearedhadknownherverywellathome。Thelodger，theygathered，didnotwishhertobeindependentofhimandthetwoAmericanshadmanyargumentsanddisputesaboutit，butshealwayssaid，"Itdoesnogood，Philip;itonlyhurtsusbothwhenyoutalkso。Icarefornothing，andfornoonebutmyart，and，poorasitis，itmeanseverythingtome，andyoudonot，and，ofcourse，themanIamtomarry，must。"ThenCarrollwouldtalk，walkingupanddown，andlookingveryfierceanddetermined，andtellingherhowhelovedherinsuchawaythatitmadeherlookevenmoreproudandbeautiful。Andshewouldsaymoregently，"Itisveryfinetothinkthatanyonecancareforlikethat，andveryhelpful。ButunlessIcaredinthesamewayitwouldbewickedofmetomarryyou，andbesides——"Shewouldaddveryquicklytopreventhisspeakingagain——"Idon’twanttomarryyouoranybody，andInevershall。Iwanttobefreeandtosucceedinmywork，justasyouwanttosucceedinyourwork。Sopleaseneverspeakofthisagain。"Whenshewentawaythelodgerusedtositsmokinginthebigarm-chairandbeatthearmswithhishands，andhewouldpaceupanddowntheroomwhilehisworkwouldlieuntouchedandhisengagementspassforgotten。
SummercameandLondonwasdeserted，dull，anddusty，butthelodgerstayedoninJermynStreet。HelenCabothaddepartedonaroundofvisitstocountryhousesinScotland，where，asshewrotehim，shewaspaintingminiaturesofherhostsandstudyingthegameofgolf。MissCavendishdividedherdaysbetweentheriverandoneoftheWestEndtheatres。Shewasplayingasmallpartinafarce-comedy。
OnedayshecameupfromCookhamearlierthanusual，lookingverybeautifulinawhiteboatingfrockandastrawhatwithaLeanderribbon。Herhandsandarmswerehardwithdraggingapuntingpoleandshewassunburntandhappy，andhungryfortea。
"Whydon’tyoucomedowntoCookhamandgetoutofthisheat？"
MissCavendishasked。"Youneedit;youlookill。"
"I’dliketo，butIcan’t，"saidCarroll。"Thefactis，Ipaidinadvancefortheserooms，andifIlivedanywhereelseI’dbelosingfiveguineasaweekonthem。"
MissCavendishregardedhimseverely。ShehadneverquitemasteredhisAmericanhumor。
"Butfiveguineas——whythat’snothingtoyou，"shesaid。
Somethinginthelodger’sfacemadeherpause。"Youdon’tmean————"
"Yes，Ido，"saidthelodger，smiling。"Yousee，IstartedintolaysiegetoLondonwithoutsufficientammunition。Londonisalargetown，anditdidn’tfallasquicklyasIthoughtitwould。
SoIameconomizing。Mr。Lockhart’sCoffeeRoomsandIarenolongerstrangers。"
MissCavendishputdownhercupofteauntastedandleanedtowardhim"Areyouinearnest？"sheasked。"Forhowlong？"
"Oh，forthelastmonth，"repliedthelodger;"theyarenotatallbad——cleanandwholesomeandallthat。"
"Butthesuppersyougaveus，andthis，"shecried，suddenly，wavingherhandsovertheprettytea-things，"andthecakeandmuffins？"
"Myfriends，atleast，"saidCarroll，"neednotgotoLockhart’s。"
"AndtheSavoy？"askedMissCavendish，mournfullyshakingherhead。
"Adreamofthepast，"saidCarroll，wavinghispipethroughthesmoke。"Gatti’s？Yes，onspecialoccasions;butfornecessity，theChancellor’s，whereonegetsapieceoftheprimeroastbeefofOldEngland，fromChicago，andpotatoesforninepence——apotofbittertwopence-halfpenny，andapennyforthewaiter。It’smostamusingonthewhole。IamlearningalittleaboutLondon，andsomethingsaboutmyself。Theyarebothmostinterestingsubjects。"
"Well，Idon’tlikeit，"MissCavendishdeclaredhelplessly。
"WhenIthinkofthosesuppersandtheflowers，Ifeel——Ifeellikearobber。"
"Don’t，"beggedCarroll。"Iamreallythemosthappyofmen——
thatis，asthechapsaysintheplay，IwouldbeifIwasn’tsodamnedmiserable。ButIowenomanapennyandIhaveassets——I
haveL？0tolastmethroughthewinterandtwomarvellousplays;andIlove，nexttoyourself，themostwonderfulwomanGodevermade。That’senough。"
"ButIthoughtyoumadesuchalotofmoneybywriting？"askedMissCavendish。
"Ido——thatis，Icould，"answeredCarroll，"ifIwrotethethingsthatsell;butIkeeponwritingplaysthatwon’t。"
"Andsuchplays！"exclaimedMarion，warmly;"andtothinkthattheyaregoingbegging。"Shecontinuedindignantly，"Ican’timaginewhatthemanagersdowant。"
"Iknowwhattheydon’twant，"saidtheAmerican。MissCavendishdrummedimpatientlyonthetea-tray。
"Iwishyouwouldn’tbesoabjectaboutit，"shesaid。"IfI
wereamanI’dmakethemtakethoseplays。"
"How？"askedtheAmerican;"withagun？"
"Well，I’dkeepatituntiltheyreadthem，"declaredMarion。
"I’dsitontheirfrontstepsallnightandI’dfollowthemincabs，andI’dlieinwaitforthematthestage-door。I’djustmakethemtakethem。"
Carrollsighedandstaredattheceiling。"IguessI’llgiveupandgohome，"hesaid。
"Oh，yes，do，runawaybeforeyouarebeaten，"saidMissCavendish，scornfully。"Why，youcan’tgonow。Everybodywillbebackintownsoon，andtherearealotofnewplayscomingon，andsomeofthemaresuretobefailures，andthat’sourchance。
Yourushinwithyourpieceandsomebodymaytakeitsoonerthanclosethetheatre。"
"I’mthinkingofclosingthetheatremyself，"saidCarroll。
"What’stheuseofmyhangingonhere？"heexclaimed。"ItdistressesHelentoknowIaminLondon，feelingaboutherasI
do——andtheLordonlyknowshowitdistressesme。And，maybe，ifIwentaway，"hesaid，consciously，"shemightmissme。Shemightseethedifference。"
MissCavendishheldherselferectandpressedherlipstogetherwithaseveresmile。"IfHelenCabotdoesn’tseethedifferencebetweenyouandtheothermensheknowsnow，"shesaid，"Idoubtifsheeverwill。Besides——"shecontinued，andthenhesitated。
"Well，goon，"urgedCarroll。
"Well，Iwasonlygoingtosay，"sheexplained，"thatleavingthegirlaloneneverdidthemananygoodunlessheleftheralonewillingly。Ifshe’ssurehestillcares，it’sjustthesametoherwhereheis。HemightaswellstayoninLondonasgotoSouthAfrica。Itwon’thelphimany。Thedifferencecomeswhenshefindshehasstoppedcaring。Why，lookatReggie。Hetriedthat。Hewentawayforeversolong，buthekeptwritingmefromwhereverhewent，sothathewasperfectlymiserable——andIwentonenjoyingmyself。Thenwhenhecameback，hetriedgoingaboutwithhisoldfriendsagain。Heusedtocometothetheatrewiththem——oh，withsuchnicegirls——buthealwaysstoodinthebackoftheboxandyawnedandscowled——soIknew。And，anyway，he’dalwaysspoilitallbyleavingthemandwaitingatthestageentranceforme。ButonedayhegottiredofthewayItreatedhimandwentoffonabicycletourwithLadyHacksher’sgirlsandsomemenfromhisregiment，andhewasgonethreeweeksandneversentmeevenaline;andIgotsoscared;Icouldn’tsleep，andIstooditforthreedaysmore，andthenIwiredhimtocomebackorI’djumpoffLondonBridge;andhecamebackthatverynightfromEdinburghontheexpress，andIwassogladtoseehimthatIgotconfused，andinthegeneralexcitementIpromisedtomarryhim，sothat’showitwaswithus。"
"Yes，"saidtheAmerican，withoutenthusiasm;"butthenIstillcare，andHelenknowsIcare。"
"Doesn’tsheeverfancythatyoumightcareforsomeoneelse？
Youhavealotoffriends，youknow。"
"Yes，butsheknowstheyarejustthat——friends，"saidtheAmerican。
MissCavendishstooduptogo，andarrangedherveilbeforethemirrorabovethefireplace。
"Icomehereveryoftentotea，"shesaid。
"It’sverykindofyou，"saidCarroll。Hewasattheopenwindow，lookingdownintothestreetforacab。
"Well，nooneknowsIamengagedtoReggie，"continuedMissCavendish，"exceptyouandReggie，andheisn’tsosure。SHE
doesn’tknowit。"
"Well？"saidCarroll。
MissCavendishsmiledamischievouskindlysmileathimfromthemirror。
"Well？"sherepeated，mockingly。Carrollstaredatherandlaughed。Afterapausehesaid："It’slikeaplotinacomedy。
ButI’mafraidI’mtooseriousforplay-acting。"
"Yes，itisserious，"saidMissCavendish。SheseatedherselfagainandregardedtheAmericanthoughtfully。"Youaretoogoodamantobetreatedthewaythatgirlistreatingyou，andnooneknowsitbetterthanshedoes。She’llchangeintime，butjustnowshethinksshewantstobeindependent。She’sinlovewiththispicture-paintingidea，andwiththepeopleshemeets。It’sallnewtoher——thefusstheymakeoverherandthetitles，andthewaysheisaskedabout。Weknowshecan’tpaint。Weknowtheyonlygivehercommissionsbecauseshe’ssoyoungandpretty，andAmerican。Sheamusesthem，that’sall。Well，thatcannotlast;she’llfinditout。She’stoocleveragirl，andsheistoofineagirltobecontentwiththatlong。Then——thenshe’llcomebacktoyou。Shefeelsnowthatshehasbothyouandtheothers，andshe’smakingyouwait：sowaitandbecheerful。
She’sworthwaitingfor;she’syoung，that’sall。She’llseethedifferenceintime。But，inthemeanwhile，itwouldhurrymattersabitifshethoughtshehadtochoosebetweenthenewfriendsandyou。"
"Shecouldstillkeepherfriends，andmarryme，"saidCarroll;
"Ihavetoldherthatahundredtimes。Shecouldstillpaintminiaturesandmarryme。Butshewon’tmarryme。"
"Shewon’tmarryyoubecausesheknowsshecanwhenevershewantsto;"criedMarion。"Can’tyouseethat？Butifshethoughtyouweregoingtomarrysomeoneelsenow？"
"Shewouldbethefirsttocongratulateme，"saidCarroll。Heroseandwalkedtothefireplace，whereheleanedwithhisarmonthemantel。TherewasaphotographofHelenCabotnearhishand，andheturnedthistowardhimandstoodforsometimestaringatit。"MydearMarion，"hesaidatlast，"I’veknownHeleneversinceshewasasyoungasthat。EveryyearI’velovedhermore，andfoundnewthingsinhertocarefor;nowIlovehermorethananyothermaneverlovedanyotherwoman。"
MissCavendishshookherheadsympathetically。
"Yes，Iknow，"shesaid;"that’sthewayReggielovesme，too。"
Carrollwentonasthoughhehadnotheardher。
"There’sabenchinSt。James’sPark，"hesaid，"whereweusedtositwhenshefirstcamehere，whenshedidn’tknowsomanypeople。Weusedtogothereinthemorningandthrowpennybunstotheducks。That’sbeenmyamusementthissummersinceyou’veallbeenaway——sittingonthatbench，feedingpennybunstothesillyducks——especiallytheblackone，theonesheusedtolikebest。AndImakepilgrimagestoalltheotherplacesweevervisitedtogether，andtrytopretendsheiswithme。AndI
supportthecrossingsweeperatLansdownePassagebecausesheoncesaidshefeltsorryforhim。Idoalltheotherabsurdthingsthatamaninlovetortureshimselfbydoing。Buttowhatend？SheknowshowIcare，andyetshewon’tseewhywecan’tgoonbeingfriendsasweoncewere。What’stheuseofitall？"
"Sheisyoung，Itellyou，"repeatedMissCavendish，"andshe’stoosureofyou。You’vetoldheryoucare;nowtrymakingherthinkyoudon’tcare。"
Carrollshookhisheadimpatiently。
"Iwillnotstooptosuchtricksandpretence，Marion，"hecriedimpatiently。"AllIhaveismyloveforher;ifIhavetocheatandtotrapherintocaring，thewholethingwouldbedegraded。"
MissCavendishshruggedhershouldersandwalkedtothedoor。
"Suchamateurs！"sheexclaimed，andbangedthedoorafterher。
CarrollneverquiteknewhowhehadcometomakeaconfidanteofMissCavendish。HelenandhehadmetherwhentheyfirstarrivedinLondon，andasshehadactedforaseasonintheUnitedStates，sheadoptedthetwoAmericans——andtoldHelenwheretogoforbootsandhats，andadvisedCarrollaboutplacinghisplays。
Helensoonmadeotherfriends，anddesertedtheartists，withwhomherworkhadfirstthrownher。Sheseemedtopreferthesocietyofthepeoplewhoboughtherpaintings，andwhoadmiredandmademuchofthepainter。Asshewasverybeautifulandatanagewhensheenjoyedeverythinginlifekeenlyandeagerly，togiveherpleasurewasinitselfadistinctpleasure;andtheworldlytiredpeopleshemetwereconsideringtheirownentertainmentquiteasmuchasherswhentheyaskedhertotheirdinnersanddances，ortospendaweekwiththeminthecountry。Inherway，shewasasindependentaswasCarrollinhis，andasshewasnotinlove，ashewas，herlifewasnotnarroweddowntobutoneideal。Butshewasnotsoyoungastoconsiderherselfinfallible，andshehadoneexcellentfriendonwhomshewasdependentforadviceandtowhosedirectionsshesubmittedimplicitly。ThiswasLadyGower，theonlypersontowhomHelenhadspokenofCarrollandofhisgreatfeelingforher。LadyGower，immediatelyafterhermarriage，hadbeenaconspicuousandbrilliantfigureinthatsetinLondonwhichworkseighteenhoursadaytokeepitselfamused，butafterthedeathofherhusbandshehaddisappearedintothecountryascompletelyasthoughshehadenteredaconvent，andafterseveralyearshadthenre-enteredtheworldasaprofessionalphilanthropist。HernamewasnowassociatedentirelywithWomen’sLeagues，withcommitteesthatpresentedpetitionstoParliament，andwithpublicmeetings，atwhichshespokewithmarvellouseaseandeffect。Heroldfriendssaidshehadtakenupthisnewposeasanoutletforhernervousenergies，andasanefforttoforgetthemanwhoalonehadmadelifeserioustoher。
Othersknewherasanearnestwoman，actinghonestlyforwhatshethoughtwasright。Hersuccess，alladmitted，wasduetoherknowledgeoftheworldandtohersenseofhumor，whichtaughtherwithwhomtouseherwealthandposition，andwhentodemandwhatshewantedsolelyonthegroundthatthecausewasjust。
ShehadtakenmorethanafancyforHelen，andthepositionofthebeautiful，motherlessgirlhadappealedtoherasonefilledwithdangers。WhenshegrewtoknowHelenbetter，sherecognizedthatthesefearswerequiteunnecessary，andasshesawmoreofhershelearnedtocareforherdeeply。HelenhadtoldhermuchofCarrollandofhisdoublepurposeincomingtoLondon;ofhisbrilliantworkandhislackofsuccessinhavingitrecognized;andofhisgreatandloyaldevotiontoher，andofhislackofsuccess，notinhavingthatrecognized，butinherowninabilitytoreturnit。HelenwasproudthatshehadbeenabletomakeCarrollcareforherashedid，andthattherewasanythingaboutherwhichcouldinspireamanwhomsheadmiredsomuch，tobelieveinhersoabsolutelyandforsolongatime。
Butwhatconvincedherthattheoutcomeforwhichhehopedwasimpossible，wastheveryfactthatshecouldadmirehim，andseehowfineandunselfishhisloveforherwas，andyetremainuntouchedbyit。
ShehadbeentellingLadyGoweronedayofthecarehehadtakenofhereversinceshewasfourteenyearsofage，andhadquotedsomeofthefriendlyandloverlikeactshehadperformedinherservice，untilonedaytheyhadbothfoundoutthathisattitudeoftheelderbrotherwasnolongerpossible，andthathelovedherintheoldandonlyway。LadyGowerlookedatherratherdoubtfullyandsmiled。
"Iwishyouwouldbringhimtoseeme，Helen"shesaid;"IthinkIshouldlikeyourfriendverymuch。FromwhatyoutellmeofhimIdoubtifyouwillfindmanysuchmenwaitingforyouinthiscountry。Ourmenmarryforreasonsofproperty，ortheyloveblindly，andareexactingandselfishbeforeandaftertheyaremarried。Iknow，becausesomanywomencametomewhenmyhusbandwasalivetoaskhowitwasthatIcontinuedsohappyinmymarriedlife。"
"ButIdon’twanttomarryanyone，"Helenremonstratedgently。
"Americangirlsarenotalwaysthinkingonlyofgettingmarried。"
"WhatImeantwasthis，"saidLadyGower，"that，inmyexperience，Ihaveheardofbutfewmenwhocareinthewaythisyoungmanseemstocareforyou。Yousayyoudonotlovehim;
butifhehadwantedtogainmyinterest，hecouldnothavepleadedhiscausebetterthanyouhavedone。Heseemstoseeyourfaultsandyetloveyoustill，inspiteofthem——oronaccountofthem。AndIlikethethingshedoesforyou。Ilike，forinstance，hissendingyouthebookofthemomenteveryweekfortwoyears。Thatshowsamostunswervingspiritofdevotion。Andthestoryofthebrokenbridgeinthewoodsisawonderfulstory。IfIwereayounggirl，Icouldloveamanforthatalone。Itwasabeautifulthingtodo。"
Helensatwithherchinonherhands，deeplyconsideringthisnewpointofview。
"Ithoughtitveryfoolishofhim，"sheconfessedquestioningly，"totakesuchariskforsuchalittlething。"
LadyGowersmileddownatherfromtheheightofhermanyyears。
"Wait，"shesaiddryly，"youareveryyoungnow——andveryrich;
everyoneiscrowdingtogiveyoupleasure，toshowhisadmiration。Youareaveryfortunategirl。Butlater，thesethingswhichsomemanhasdonebecausehelovedyou，andwhichyoucallfoolish，willgrowlargeinyourlife，andshineoutstrongly，andwhenyouarediscouragedandalone，youwilltakethemout，andthememoryofthemwillmakeyouproudandhappy。
Theyarethehonorswhichwomenwearinsecret。"
HelencamebacktotowninSeptember，andforthefirstfewdayswassooccupiedinrefurnishingherstudioandinvisitingtheshopsthatsheneglectedtosendCarrollwordofherreturn。
Whenshefoundthatawholeweekhadpassedwithoutherhavingmadeanyefforttoseehim，andappreciatedhowthefactwouldhurtherfriend，shewasfilledwithremorse，anddroveatonceingreathastetoJermynStreet，toannounceherreturninperson。Onthewayshedecidedthatshewouldsoftentheblowofherweekofneglectbyaskinghimtotakeherouttoluncheon。
Thisprivilegeshehadonceortwiceaccordedhim，andshefeltthatthepleasuretheseexcursionsgaveCarrollwereworththeconsternationtheycausedtoLadyGower。
TheservantwasuncertainwhetherMr。Carrollwasathomeornot，butHelenwastoointentuponmakingrestitutiontowaitforthefacttobedetermined，and，runningupthestairs，knockedsharplyatthedoorofhisstudy。
Avoicebadehercomein，andsheentered，radiantandsmilingherwelcome。ButCarrollwasnottheretoreceiveit，andinstead，MarionCavendishlookedupatherfromhisdeskwhereshewasbusilywriting。Helenpausedwithasurprisedlaugh，butMarionsprangupandhailedhergladly。Theymethalfwayacrosstheroomandkissedeachotherwiththemostfriendlyfeeling。
Philipwasout，Marionsaid，andshehadjuststeppedinforamomenttowritehimanote。IfHelenwouldexcuseher，shewouldfinishit，asshewaslateforrehearsal。
Butsheaskedoverhershoulder，withgreatinterest，ifHelenhadpassedapleasantsummer。Shethoughtshehadneverseenherlookingsowell。HelenthoughtMissCavendishherselfwaslookingverywellalso，butMarionsaidno;thatshewastoosunburnt，shewouldnotbeabletowearadinner-dressforamonth。TherewasapausewhileMarion’squillscratchedviolentlyacrossCarroll’snote-paper。Helenfeltthatinsomewayshewasbeingtreatedasanintruder;orworse，asaguest。
Shedidnotsitdown，itseemedimpossibletodoso，butshemoveduncertainlyabouttheroom。Shenotedthatthereweremanychanges，itseemedmorebareandempty;herpicturewasstillonthewriting-desk，buttherewereatleastsixnewphotographsofMarion。Marionherselfhadbroughtthemtotheroomthatmorning，andhadcarefullyarrangedtheminconspicuousplaces。ButHelencouldnotknowthat。Shethoughttherewasanunnecessaryamountofwritingscribbledoverthefaceofeach。
Marionaddressedherletterandwrote"Immediate"acrosstheenvelope，andplaceditbeforetheclockonthemantelshelf。
"YouwillfindPhiliplookingverybadly，"shesaid，asshepulledonhergloves。"Hehasbeenintownallsummer，workingveryhard——hehashadnoholidayatall。Idon’tthinkhe’swell。Ihavebeenagreatdealworriedabouthim，"sheadded。
Herfacewasbentoverthebuttonsofherglove，andwhensheraisedherblueeyestoHelentheywerefilledwithseriousconcern。
"Really，"Helenstammered，"I——Ididn’tknow——inhislettersheseemedverycheerful。"
Marionshookherheadandturnedandstoodlookingthoughtfullyoutofthewindow。"He’sinaveryhardplace，"shebeganabruptly，andthenstoppedasthoughshehadthoughtbetterofwhatsheintendedtosay。Helentriedtoaskhertogoon，butcouldnotbringherselftodoso。Shewantedtogetaway。
"ItellhimheoughttoleaveLondon，"Marionbeganagain;"heneedsachangeandarest。"
"Ishouldthinkhemight，"Helenagreed，"afterthreemonthsofthisheat。HewrotemeheintendedgoingtoHerneBayorovertoOstend。"
"Yes，hehadmeanttogo，"Marionanswered。ShespokewiththeairofonewhopossessedthemostintimateknowledgeofCarroll’smovementsandplans，andchangeofplans。"Buthecouldn’t，"sheadded。"Hecouldn’taffordit。Helen，"shesaid，turningtotheothergirl，dramatically，"doyouknow——IbelievethatPhilipisverypoor。"
MissCabotexclaimedincredulously，"Poor！"Shelaughed。"Why，whatdoyoumean？"
"Imeanthathehasnomoney，"Marionanswered，sharply。"Theseroomsrepresentnothing。Heonlykeepsthemonbecausehepaidfortheminadvance。He’sbeenlivingonthreeshillingsaday。
That’spoorforhim。Hetakeshismealsatcabmen’ssheltersandatLockhart’s，andhe’sbeendoingsoforamonth。"
HelenrecalledwithaguiltythrillthereceiptofcertainboxesofLaFranceroses——cutlong，intheAmericanfashion——whichhadarrivedwithinthelastmonthatvariouscountryhouses。Shefeltindignantatherself，andmiserable。Herindignationwaslargelyduetotherecollectionthatshehadgiventheseflowerstoherhostesstodecoratethedinner-table。
Shehatedtoaskthisgirlofthingswhichsheshouldhaveknownbetterthananyoneelse。Butsheforcedherselftodoit。Shefeltshemustknowcertainlyandatonce。
"Howdoyouknowthis？"sheasked。"Areyousurethereisnomistake？"
"Hetoldmehimself，"saidMarion，"whenhetalkedoflettingtheplaysgoandreturningtoAmerica。Hesaidhemustgoback;
thathismoneywasgone。"
"HeisgonetoAmerica！"Helensaid，blankly。
"No，hewantedtogo，butIwouldn’tlethim，"Marionwenton。
"Itoldhimthatsomeonemighttakehisplayanyday。Andthisthirdonehehaswritten，theonehefinishedthissummerintown，isthebestofall，Ithink。It’salove-story。It’squitebeautiful。"Sheturnedandarrangedherveilattheglass，andasshedidso，hereyesfellonthephotographsofherselfscatteredoverthemantelpiece，andshesmiledslightly。ButHelendidnotseeher——shewassittingdownnow，pullingatthebooksonthetable。Shewasconfusedanddisturbedbyemotionswhichwerequitestrangetoher，andwhenMarionbadehergood-byshehardlynoticedherdeparture。WhatimpressedhermostofallinwhatMarionhadtoldher，was，shewassurprisedtofind，thatPhilipwasgoingaway。Thatsheherselfhadfrequentlyurgedhimtodoso，forhisownpeaceofmind，seemednowofnoconsequence。Nowthatheseriouslycontemplatedit，sherecognizedthathisabsencemeanttoherachangeineverything。Shefeltforthefirsttimethepeculiarplaceheheldinherlife。Evenifshehadseenhimbutseldom，thefactthathewaswithincallhadbeenmoreofacomfortandanecessitytoherthansheunderstood。
Thathewaspoor，concernedherchieflybecausesheknewthat，althoughthisconditioncouldonlybebuttemporary，itwoulddistresshimnottohavehisfriendsaroundhim，andtoentertainthemashehadbeenusedtodo。Shewonderedeagerlyifshemightoffertohelphim，butasecondthoughtassuredherthat，foraman，thatsortofhelpfromawomanwasimpossible。
SheresentedthefactthatMarionwasdeepinhisconfidence;
thatitwasMarionwhohadtoldherofhischangedconditionandofhisplans。Itannoyedhersoacutelythatshecouldnotremainintheroomwhereshehadseenhersocomplacentlyinpossession。AndafterleavingabriefnoteforPhilip，shewentaway。Shestoppedahansomatthedoor，andtoldthemantodrivealongtheEmbankment——shewantedtobequitealone，andshefeltshecouldseenooneuntilshehadthoughtitallout，andhadanalyzedthenewfeelings。
Soforseveralhoursshedroveslowlyupanddown，sunkfarbackinthecushionsofthecab，andstaringwithunseeingeyesatthewhiteenamelledtariffandtheblackdash-board。
SheassuredherselfthatshewasnotjealousofMarion，because，inordertobejealous，shefirstwouldhavetocareforPhilipintheverywayshecouldnotbringherselftodo。
ShedecidedthathisinterestinMarionhurther，becauseitshowedthatPhilipwasnotcapableofremainingtruetotheoneidealofhislife。Shewassurethatthisexplainedherfeelings——shewasdisappointedthathehadnotkeptuptohisownstandard;thathewasweakenoughtoturnasidefromitforthefirstprettypairofeyes。Butshewastoohonestandtoojusttoacceptthatdiagnosisofherfeelingsasfinal——sheknewtherehadbeenmanypairsofeyesinAmericaandinLondon，andthatthoughPhiliphadseenthem，hehadnotansweredthemwhentheyspoke。No，sheconfessedfrankly，shewashurtwithherselfforneglectingheroldfriendsoselfishlyandforsolongatime;hislovegavehimclaimsonherconsideration，atleast，andshehadforgottenthatandhim，andhadrunafterstrangegodsandallowedotherstocomeinandtakeherplace，andtogivehimthesympathyandhelpwhichsheshouldhavebeenthefirsttooffer，andwhichwouldhavecountedmorewhencomingfromherthanfromanyoneelse。Shedeterminedtomakeamendsatonceforherthoughtlessnessandselfishness，andherbrainwaspleasantlyoccupiedwithplansandactsofkindness。Itwasanewentertainment，andshefoundshedelightedinit。ShedirectedthecabmantogotoSolomons’s，andfromtheresentPhilipabunchofflowersandalinesayingthatonthefollowingdayshewascomingtotaketeawithhim。Shehadaguiltyfeelingthathemightconsiderherfriendlyadvancesmoreseriouslythanshemeantthem，butitwasherpleasuretobereckless：herfeelingswererunningriotously，andthesensationwassonewthatsherefusedtobecircumspectortoconsiderconsequences。Whocouldtell，sheaskedherselfwithaquick，frightenedgasp，butthat，afterall，itmightbethatshewaslearningtocare？FromSolomons’sshebadethemandrivetotheshopinCranbourneStreetwhereshewasaccustomedtopurchasethematerialssheusedinpainting，andFate，whichusesstrangeagentstoworkoutitsends，sodirecteditthatthecabmanstoppedafewdoorsbelowthisshop，andoppositeonewherejewelryandotherpersonaleffectswereboughtandsold。
Atanyothertime，orhadshebeeninanyothermood，whatfollowedmightnothaveoccurred，butFate，inthepersonofthecabman，arrangeditsothatthehourandtheopportunitycametogether。
Thereweresomeoldmezzotintsinthewindowoftheloanshop，astringofcoinsandmedals，arowofnewFrenchposters;andfardowntothefrontatrayfilledwithgoldandsilvercigarette-
casesandwatchesandrings。ItoccurredtoHelen，whowasstillbentonmakingrestitutionforherneglect，thatacigarette-casewouldbemoreappropriateforamanthanflowers，andmorelasting。AndshescannedthecontentsofthewindowwiththeeyeofonewhonowsawineverythingonlysomethingwhichmightgivePhilippleasure。Thetwoobjectsofvalueinthetrayuponwhichhereyesfirstfellwerethegoldseal-ringwithwhichPhiliphadsealedhisletterstoher，and，lyingnexttoit，hisgoldwatch！Therewassomethingalmosthumaninthewaytheringandwatchspoketoherfromthepast——inthewaytheyappealedtohertorescuethemfromthesurroundingstowhichtheyhadbeenabandoned。ShedidnotknowwhatshemeanttodowiththemnorhowshecouldreturnthemtoPhilip;buttherewasnoquestionofdoubtinhermannerasshesweptwitharushintotheshop。
Therewasnoattempt，either，atbargaininginthewayinwhichshepointedouttotheyoungwomanbehindthecountertheparticularringandwatchshewanted。Theyhadnotbeenleftascollateral，theyoungwomansaid;theyhadbeensoldoutright。
"Thenanyonecanbuythem？"Helenaskedeagerly。"Theyareforsaletothepublic——toanyone？"
Theyoungwomanmadenoteofthecustomer’seagerness，butwithanunmovedcountenance。
"Yes，miss，theyareforsale。Theringisfourpoundsandthewatchtwenty-five。"
"Twenty-ninepounds！"Helengasped。
Thatwasmoremoneythanshehadintheworld，butthefactdidnotdistressher，forshehadatrueartisticdisregardforreadymoney，andtheabsenceofithadneverdisturbedher。Butnowitassumedasuddenandalarmingvalue。Shehadtenpoundsinherpurseandtenpoundsatherstudio——thesewerejustenoughtopayforaquarter’srentandtherates，andtherewasahatandcloakinBondStreetwhichshecertainlymusthave。Heronlyassetsconsistedofthepossibilitythatsomeonemightsoonorderaminiature，andtohermindthatwassufficient。Someonealwayshadorderedaminiature，andtherewasnoreasonabledoubtbutthatsomeonewoulddoitagain。Foramomentshequestionedifitwouldnotbesufficientifsheboughttheringandallowedthewatchtoremain。Butsherecognizedthattheringmeantmoretoherthanthewatch，whilethelatter，asanoldheirloomwhichhadbeenpasseddowntohimfromagreat-grandfather，meantmoretoPhilip。ItwasforPhilipshewasdoingthis，sheremindedherself。Shestoodholdinghispossessions，oneineachhand，andlookingattheyoungwomanblankly。ShehadnodoubtinhermindthatatleastpartofthemoneyhehadreceivedforthemhadpaidfortheflowershehadsenttoherinScotland。
Thecertaintyofthislefthernochoice。Shelaidtheringandwatchdownandpulledtheonlyringshepossessedfromherownfinger。ItwasagiftfromLadyGower。Shehadnodoubtthatitwasofgreatvalue。
"Canyoulendmesomemoneyonthat？"sheasked。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadconductedabusinesstransactionofthisnature，andshefeltasthoughshewereengaginginaburglary。
"Wedon’tlendmoney，miss，"thegirlsaid，"webuyoutright。I
cangiveyoutwenty-eightshillingsforthis，"sheadded。
"Twenty-eightshillings，"Helengasped;"why，itisworth——oh，eversomuchmorethanthat！"
"Thatisallitisworthtous，"thegirlanswered。Sheregardedtheringindifferentlyandlaiditawayfromheronthecounter。
Theactionwasfinal。
Helen’shandsroseslowlytoherbreast，whereaprettywatchdangledfromabowknotofcrusheddiamonds。Itwasheronlypossession，andshewasveryfondofit。ItalsowasthegiftofoneoftheseveralgreatladieswhohadadoptedhersinceherresidenceinLondon。Helenhadpaintedaminiatureofthisparticulargreatladywhichhadlookedsobeautifulthatthepleasurewhichtheoriginaloftheportraitderivedfromthethoughtthatshestillreallylookedasshedidintheminiaturewasworthmoretoherthanmanydiamonds。
ButitwasdifferentwithHelen，andnoonecouldcountwhatitcosthertotearawayheroneproudpossession。
"Whatwillyougivemeforthis？"sheaskeddefiantly。
Thegirl’seyesshowedgreaterinterest。"Icangiveyoutwentypoundsforthat，"shesaid。
"Takeit，please，"Helenbegged，asthoughshefearedifshekeptitamomentlongershemightnotbeabletomakethesacrifice。
"Thatwillbeenoughnow，"shewenton，takingoutherten-poundnote。SheputLadyGower’sringbackuponherfingerandpickedupPhilip’sringandwatchwiththepleasureofonewhohascomeintoagreatfortune。Sheturnedbackatthedoor。
"Oh，"shestammered，"incaseanyoneshouldinquire，youarenottosaywhoboughtthese。"
"No，miss，certainlynot，"saidthewoman。Helengavethedirectiontothecabmanand，closingthedoorsofthehansom，satlookingdownatthewatchandthering，astheylayinherlap。
Thethoughtthattheyhadbeenhismostvaluedpossessions，whichhehadabandonedforever，andthattheywerenowentirelyhers，todowithassheliked，filledherwithmostintensedelightandpleasure。Shetookuptheheavygoldringandplaceditonthelittlefingerofherlefthand;itwasmuchtoolarge，andsheremoveditandbalanceditforamomentdoubtfullyinthepalmofherrighthand。Shewassmiling，andherfacewaslitwithshyandtenderthoughts。Shecastaquickglancetotheleftandrightasthoughfearfulthatpeoplepassinginthestreetwouldobserveher，andthenslippedtheringoverthefourthfingerofherlefthand。Shegazedatitwithaguiltysmileandthen，coveringithastilywithherotherhand，leanedback，claspingitclosely，andsatfrowningfaroutbeforeherwithpuzzledeyes。
ToCarrollallroadsledpastHelen’sstudio，andduringthesummer，whileshehadbeenabsentinScotlanditwasoneofhissadpleasurestomakeapilgrimagetoherstreetandtopauseoppositethehouseandlookupattheemptywindowsofherrooms。
Itwasduringthisdailyexercisethathelearned，throughthearrivalofherluggage，ofherreturntoLondon，andwhendayfolloweddaywithoutherhavingshownanydesiretoseehimortotellhimofherreturnhedenouncedhimselfmostbitterlyasafatuousfool。
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