Inotherrespects，thesealedtreasuresofRushbrook'svilla，farfromprovokinganysentimentality，seemedonlytogivetruthtothecurrentrumorthatitwasmerelywaitingtobetransformedintoagorgeouswatering-placehotelunderRushbrook'sdirection；that，withitsnewball-roomchangedintoanelaboratedining-hall，itwouldundergostillfurtherimprovement，theinevitableendandobjectofallRushbrook'senterprise；andthatitsformerproprietorhadalreadybegunanothervillawhosemagnificenceshouldeclipsethelast。Therecertainlyappearedtobenolimittothemillionaire'ssuccessinallthathepersonallyundertook，orinhisfortunatecomplicitywiththeenterpriseandinventionofothers。Hisnamewasassociatedwiththeoldestandsafestschemes，aswellasthenewestandboldest——withanequalguaranteeofsecurity。Afew，itwastrue，lookeddoubtinglyuponthis"onemanpower，"butcouldnotrefutethefactthatothershadlargelybenefitedbyassociationwithhim，andthathesharedhisprofitswitharoyalhand。Someobjectedonhighergroundstohisbrutalizingtheinfluenceofwealthbyhismaterialandextravagantlypracticalprocesses，insteadofthegentlersuggestionsofeducationandpersonalexample，andwereimpelledtopointoutthefactthatheandhispatronagewerevulgar。Itwasfelt，however，bythosewhoreceivedhisbenefits，thatapropersenseofthisinferioritywasallthatethicsdemandedofthem。
　　OnecouldstillacceptRushbrook'sbarbaricgiftsbyhumorouslyrecognizingthefactthathedidn'tknowanybetter，andthatitpleasedhim，aslongastheyresentedanyhigherpretensions。
　　Therain-beatenwindowsofRushbrook'stownhouse，however，werecheerfullylitthatDecemberevening。Mr。Rushbrookseldomdinedalone；infact，itwaspopularlyallegedthatveryoftentheunfinishedbusinessofthedaywasconcludedoverhisbountifulandperfectboard。HewasdressingasJamesenteredtheroom。
　　"Mr。Leytonisinyourstudy，sir；hewillstaytodinner。"
　　"Allright。"
　　"Ithink，sir，"addedJames，withrespectfulsuggestiveness，"hewantstotalk。Atleast，sir，heaskedmeifyouwouldlikelycomedownstairsbeforeyourcompanyarrived。"
　　"Ah!Well，telltheothersI'mdiningonBUSINESS，andsetdinnerfortwointheblueroom。"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　Meanwhile，Mr。Leyton——amanofRushbrook'sage，butnotsofreshandvigorous-looking——hadthrownhimselfinachairbesidethestudyfire，afteraglancearoundthehandsomeandfamiliarroom。
　　Forthehousehadbelongedtoabrothermillionaire；ithadchangedhandswithcertainsharesof"WaterFront，"——assomeofRushbrook'sdealingshadthetruebarbaricabsenceofmoneydetail，——andwaselegantlyandtastefullyfurnished。Thecuckoohad，however，alreadylaidafewcharacteristiceggsinthisadoptednest，andawhitemarblestatueofanudeandill-fedVirtue，sentoverbyRushbrook'sParisagent，andunpackedthatmorning，stoodinonecorner，andmateriallybroughtdownthetemperature。AJapanesepraying-throneofpureivory，and，aboveit，afewyardsofimproper，coloredexposurebyanoldmaster，equalizedeachother。
　　"Andwhatisallthisaffairaboutthedinner?"suddenlyaskedatartly-pitchedfemalevoicewithaforeignaccent。
　　Mr。Leytonturnedquickly，andwasjustconsciousofafaintshriek，therustleofaskirt，andtheswiftvanishingofawoman'sfigurefromthedoorway。Mr。Leytonturnedred。Rushbrooklivedengarcon，withfemininepossibilities；Leytonwasamarriedmanandadeacon。Theincidentwhich，toamanoftheworld，wouldhavebroughtonlyasmile，firedtheinexperiencedLeytonwiththoseexaggeratedideasandintensecredulityregardingvicecommontosomeverygoodmen。Hewalkedontip-toetothedoor，andpeeredintothepassage。AtthatmomentRushbrookenteredfromtheoppositedooroftheroom。
　　"Well，"saidRushbrook，withhisusualpracticaldirectness，"whatdoyouthinkofher?"
　　Leyton，stillflushed，andwitheyebrowsslightlyknit，said，awkwardly，thathehadscarcelyseenher。
　　"Shecostmealreadytenthousanddollars，andIsupposeI'llhavetoeventuallyfixupaseparateroomforhersomewhere，"continuedRushhrook。
　　"Ishouldcertainlyadviseit，"saidLeyton，quickly，"forreally，Rushbrook，youknowthatsomethingisduetotherespectablepeoplewhocomehere，andanyofthemarelikelytosee"——
　　"Ah!"interruptedRushbrook，seriously，"youthinkshehasn'tgotonclothesenough。Why，lookhere，oldman——she'soneoftheVirtues，andthat'stheriginwhichtheyalwaystravel。She'sa'Temperance'ora'Charity'ora'Resignation，'orsomethingofthatkind。You'llfindhernamethereinFrenchsomewhereatthefootofthemarble。"
　　Leytonsawhismistake，butfelt——asotherssometimesfelt——adoubtwhetherthissmilelessmanwasnotinwardlylaughingathim。Hereplied，withakeen，rapidglanceathishost:——
　　"Iwasreferringtosomewomanwhostoodinthatdoorwayjustnow，andaddressedmeratherfamiliarly，thinkingitwasyou。"
　　"Oh，theSignora，"saidRushbrook，withundisturbeddirectness；
　　"well，yousawheratLosOsoslastsummer。LikelysheDIDthinkyouwereme。"
　　ThecoolignoringofanyulteriorthoughtinLeyton'sobjectionforcedtheguesttobeequallypracticalinhisreply。
　　"Yes，butthefactisthatMissNevilhadtalkedofcomingherewithmethiseveningtoseeyouonherownaffairs，anditwouldn'thavebeenexactlythethingforhertomeetthatwoman。"
　　"Shewouldn't，"saidRushbrook，promptly；"norwouldYOU，ifyouhadgoneintotheparlorasMissNevilwouldhavedone。Butlookhere!Ifthat'sthereasonwhyyoudidn'tbringher，sendforheratonce；mycoachmancantakeacardfromyou；thebrougham'sallreadytofetchher，andthereyouare。She'llseeonlyyouandme。"Hewasalreadymovingtowardsthebell，whenLeytonstoppedhim。
　　"Nomatternow。Icantellyouherbusiness，Ifancy；andinfact，Icameheretospeakofit，quiteindependentlyofher。"
　　"Thatwon'tdo，Leyton，"interruptedRushbrook，withcrispdecision。"Oneortheotherinterviewisunnecessary；itwastestime，andisn'tbusiness。Betterhaveherpresent，evenifshedon'tsayaword。"
　　"Yes，butnotinthismatter，"respondedLeyton；"it'saboutSomers。Youknowhe'sbeenveryattentivetohereversinceheruncleleftherheretorecruitherhealth，andIthinkshefancieshim。Well，althoughshe'sindependentandherownmistress，asyouknow，Mrs。LeytonandIaresomewhatresponsibleforheracquaintancewithSomers，——andforthatmattersoareyou；andasmywifethinksitmeansamarriage，weoughttoknowsomethingmorepositiveaboutSomers'sprospects。Now，allwereallyknowisthathe'sagreatfriendofyours；thatyoutrustagooddealtohim；
　　thathemanagesyoursocialaffairs；thatyoutreathimasasonornephew，andit'sgenerallybelievedthathe'sasgoodasprovidedforbyyou——eh?Didyouspeak?"
　　"No，"saidRushbrook，quietlyregardingthestatueasiftakingitsmeasurementforasuitableapartmentforit。"Goon。"
　　"Well，"saidLeyton，alittleimpatiently，"that'sthebeliefeverybodyhas，andyou'venotcontradictedit。Andonthatwe'vetakentheresponsibilityofnotinterferingwithSomers'sattentions。"
　　"Well?"saidRushbrook，interrogatively。
　　"Well，"repliedLeyton，emphatically，"youseeImustaskyoupositivelyifyouHAVEdoneanything，orareyougoingtodoanythingforhim?"
　　"Well，"repliedRushbrook，withexasperatingcoolness，"whatdoyoucallthismarriage?"
　　"Idon'tunderstandyou，"saidLeyton。
　　"Lookhere，Leyton，"saidRushbrook，suddenlyandabruptlyfacinghim；"JackSomershasbrains，knowledgeofsociety，tact，accomplishments，andgoodlooks:that'sHIScapitalasmuchasmineismoney。Iemployhim:that'shisadvertisement，recommendation，andcredit。Now，onthestrengthofthis，asyousay，MissNeviliswillingtoinvestinhim；Idon'tseewhatmorecanbedone。"
　　"Butifheruncledon'tthinkitenough?"
　　"She'sindependent，andhasmoneyforboth。"
　　"Butifshethinksshe'sbeendeceived，andchangeshermind?"
　　"Leyton，youdon'tknowMissNevil。Whateverthatgirlundertakesshe'sweighedfully，andgoesthroughwith。Ifshe'strustedhimenoughtomarryhim，moneywon'tstopher；ifshethinksshe'sbeendeceived，YOU'LLneverknowit。"
　　TheenthusiasmandconvictionweresounlikeRushbrook'susualcynicaltolerationofthesexthatLeytonstaredathim。
　　"That'sodd，"hereturned。"That'swhatshesaysofyou。"
　　"OfME；youmeanSomers?"
　　"No，ofYOU。Come，Rushbrook，don'tpretendyoudon'tknowthatMissNevilisagreatpartisanofyours，swearsbyyou，saysyou'remisunderstoodbypeople，and，what'sinfernallyoddinawomanwhodon'tbelongtotheclassyoufancy，don'ttalkofyourhabits。
　　That'swhyshewantstoconsultyouaboutSomers，Isuppose，andthat'swhy，knowingyoumightinfluenceher，Icameherefirsttowarnyou。"
　　"AndI'vetoldyouthatwhateverImightsayordowouldn'tinfluenceher。Sowe'lldropthesubject。"
　　"Notyet；foryou'reboundtoseeMissNevilsoonerorlater。Now，ifsheknowsthatyou'vedonenothingforthisman，yourfriendandherlover，won'tshebejustifiedinthinkingthatyouwouldhaveareasonforit?"
　　"Yes。Ishouldgiveit。"
　　"Whatreason?"
　　"ThatIknewshe'dbemorecontentedtohavehimspeculatewithHER
　　moneythanmine。"
　　"Thenyouthinkthatheisn'tabusinessman?"
　　"Ithinkthatshethinksso，orshewouldn'tmarryhim；it'spartoftheattraction。Butcome，Jameshasbeenforfiveminutesdiscreetlywaitingoutsidethedoortotellusdinnerisready，andthecoastclearofallothercompany。Butlookhere，"hesaid，suddenlystopping，withhisarminLeyton's，"you'rethroughyourtalk，Isuppose；perhapsyou'dratherwe'ddinewiththeSignoraandtheothersthanalone?"
　　ForaninstantLeytonthrilledwiththefascinationofwhathefirmlybelievedwasaguiltytemptation。Rushbrook，perceivinghishesitation，added:——
　　"Bytheway，Somersisoftheparty，andoneortwoothersyouknow。"
　　Mr。Leytonopenedhiseyeswidelyatthis；eitherthetemptationhadpassed，ortheideaofbeingseenindoubtfulcompanybyayoungermanwasdistasteful，forhehurriedlydisclaimedanypreference。"But，"headdedwithhalf-significantpoliteness，"perhapsI'mkeepingYOUfromthem?"
　　"Itmakesnottheslightestdifferencetome，"calmlyreturnedRushbrook，withsuchevidenttruthfulnessthatLeytonwasbothconvincedandchagrined。
　　PrecededbythegraveandubiquitousJames，theycrossedthelargehall，andenteredthroughasmallerpassageacharmingapartmenthungwithbluedamask，whichmighthavebeenaboudoir，study，orsmallreception-room，yethadtheairofneverhavingbeenanythingcontinuously。ItwouldseemthatRushbrook'shabitof"campingout"indifferentpartsofhismansionobtainedhereasatLosOsos，andwiththeexceptionofasmallclosetwhichcontainedhisSpartanbed，theroomswereusedseparatelyorinsuites，asoccasionorhisfriendsrequired。ItisrecordedthatanEasternguest，newlyarrivedwithletterstoRushbrook，afteratediousjourney，expressedhimselfpleasedwiththissameblueroom，inwhichhehadsumptuouslydinedwithhishost，andsubsequentlyfellasleepinhischair。Withoutdisturbinghisguest，Rushbrookhadthetableremoved，abed，washstand，andbureaubroughtin，thesleepingmandelicatelylaidupontheformer，andlefttoawakentoanArabiannight'srealizationofhiswish。
　　CHAPTERV
　　JameshadbarelydisposedofhismasterandMr。Leyton，andleftthemtotheministrationsoftwoofhisunderlings，beforehewasconfrontedwithoneofthosedifficultproblemsthatitwaspartofhisfunctionstosolve。TheporterinformedhimthatayoungladyhadjustdrivenupinacarriageostensiblytoseeMr。Rushbrook，andJames，descendingtotheoutervestibule，foundhimselffacetofacewithMissGraceNevil。Happily，thatyounglady，withherusualtact，sparedhimsomeembarrassment。
　　"Oh!James，"shesaidsweetly，"doyouthinkthatIcouldseeMr。
　　RushbrookforafewmomentsIFIWAITEDFORTHEOPPORTUNITY?Youunderstand，Idon'twishtodisturbhimorhiscompanybybeingregularlyannounced。"
　　Theyounggirl'spracticalintelligenceappearedtoincreasetheusualrespectwhichJameshadalwaysshownher。"Iunderstand，miss。"Hethoughtforamoment，andsaid:"Wouldyoumind，then，followingmewhereyoucouldwaitquietlyandalone?"Asshequicklyassented，heprecededherupthestaircase，pastthestudyanddrawing-room，whichhedidnotenter，andstoppedbeforeasmalldoorattheendofthepassage。Then，handingherakeywhichhetookfromhispocket，hesaid:"ThisistheonlyroominthehousethatisstrictlyreservedforMr。Rushbrook，andevenherarelyusesit。YoucanwaitherewithoutanybodyknowingituntilIcancommunicatewithhimandbringyoutohisstudyunobserved。
　　And，"hehesitated，"ifyouwouldn'tmindlockingthedoorwhenyouarein，miss，youwouldbemoresecure，andIwillknockwhenI
　　comeforyou。"
　　GraceNevilsmiledattheman'sprudence，andenteredtheroom。
　　Buttohergreatsurprise，shehadscarcelyshutthedoorwhenshewasinstantlystruckwithasingularmemorywhichtheapartmentrecalled。ItwasexactlyliketheroomshehadalteredinRushbrook'svillaatLosOsos!Morethanthat，oncloseexaminationitprovedtobetheverysamefurniture，arrangedassherememberedtohavearrangedit，eventotheflowersandgrasses，now，alas!fadedandwitheredonthewalls。Therecouldbenomistake。Therewastheopenebonyescritoirewiththesatinblotteropen，anditsleavesstillbearingthemarksofherownhandwriting。Socompletetohermindwastheideaofherowntenancyinthisbachelor'smansion，thatshelookedaroundwithahalfindignantalarmforthephotographorportraitofherselfthatmightfurtherindicateit。Buttherewasnootherexposition。Theonlythingthathadbeenaddedwasagiltlegendonthesatincaseoftheblotter，——"LosOsos，August20，186-，"thedayshehadoccupiedtheroom。
　　Shewaspleased，astonished，butmorethanall，disturbed。Theonlymanwhomightclaimarighttothisfigurativepossessionofhertastesandhabitswastheonewhomshehadquietly，reflectively，andunderstandinglyhalfacceptedasherlover，andonwhoseaccountshehadcometoconsultRushbrook。ButSomerswasnotasentimentalist；infact，asayounggirl，forcedbyherindependentpositiontosomewhatcriticallyscrutinizemasculineweaknesses，thishadalwaysbeenapointinhisfavor；yetevenifhehadjoinedwithhisfriendRushbrooktoperpetuatethememoryoftheirfirstacquaintanceship，histastemerelywouldnothaveselectedachambredegarconinMr。Rushbrook'shomeforitsexhibition。Herconceptionoftheoppositecharactersofthetwomenwassingularlydistinctandreal，andthismomentaryconfusionofthemwasdisagreeabletoherwoman'ssense。ButatthismomentJamescametoreleaseherandconducthertoRushbrook'sstudy，wherehewouldjoinheratonce。Everythinghadbeenarrangedasshehadwished。
　　EvenamorepracticalmanthanRushbrookmighthavelingeredoverthepictureofthetall，gracefulfigureofMissNevil，quietlyenthronedinalargearmchairbythefire，herscarlet，satin-linedcloakthrownoveritsback，andherchinrestingonherhand。Butthemillionairewalkeddirectlytowardsherwithhisusualfranknessofconsciousbutrestrainedpower，andshefelt，asshealwaysdid，perfectlyathereaseinhispresence。Evenasshetookhisoutstretchedhand，itsstraightforwardgraspseemedtoendowherwithitsownconfidence。
　　"You'llexcusemycomingheresoabruptly，"shesmiled，"butI
　　wantedtogetbeforeMr。Leyton，who，Ibelieve，wishestoseeyouonthesamebusinessasmyself。"
　　"Heisherealready，anddiningwithme，"saidRushbrook。
　　"Ah!doesheknowIamhere?"askedthegirl，quietly。
　　"No；ashesaidyouhadthoughtofcomingwithhimanddidn't，I
　　presumedyoudidn'tcaretohavehimknowyouhadcomealone。"
　　"Notexactlythat，Mr。Rushbrook，"shesaid，fixingherbeautifuleyesonhiminbrightandtrustfulconfidence，"butIhappentohaveafullerknowledgeofthisbusinessthanhehas，andyet，asitisnotaltogethermyownsecret，Iwasnotpermittedtodivulgeittohim。NorwouldItellittoyou，onlyIcannotbearthatyoushouldthinkthatIhadanythingtodowiththiswretchedinquisitionintoMr。Somers'sprospects。KnowingaswellasyoudohowperfectlyindependentIam，youwouldthinkitstrange，wouldn'tyou?ButyouwouldthinkitstillmoresurprisingwhenyoufoundoutthatIandmyunclealreadyknowhowliberallyandgenerouslyyouhadprovidedforMr。Somersinthefuture。"
　　"HowIhadprovidedforMr。Somersinthefuture?"repeatedMr。
　　Rushbrook，lookingatthefire，"eh?"
　　"Yes，"saidtheyounggirl，indifferently，"howyouweretoputhimintosucceedyouintheWaterFrontTrust，andallthat。Hetoldittomeandmyuncleattheoutsetofouracquaintance，confidentially，ofcourse，andIdaresaywithanhonorabledelicacythatwaslikehim，but——Isupposenowyouwillthinkmefoolish——allthewhileI'dratherhehadnot。"
　　"You'dratherhehadnot，"repeatedMr。Rushbrook，slowly。
　　"Yes，"continuedGrace，leaningforwardwithherroundedelbowsonherknees，andherslim，archedfeetonthefender。"Nowyouaregoingtolaughatme，Mr。Rushbrook，butallthisseemedtometospoilanyspontaneousfeelingImighthavetowardshim，andlimitmyindependenceinathingthatshouldbeamatteroffreewillalone。Itseemedtoomuchlikeabusinessproposition!There，mykindfriend!"sheadded，lookingupandtryingtoreadhisfacewithahalfgirlishpout，followed，however，byamaturersigh，"I'mbotheringyouwithawoman'sfoolishnessinsteadoftalkingbusiness。And"——anothersigh——"IsupposeitISbusinessformyuncle，whohas，itseems，boughtintothisTrustonthesepossiblecontingencies，has，perhaps，beenaskingquestionsofMr。Leyton。
　　ButIdon'twantyoutothinkthatIapproveofthem，oradviseyouransweringthem。Butyouarenotlistening。"
　　"Ihadforgottensomething，"saidRushbrook，withanoddpreoccupation。"Excusemeamoment——Iwillreturnatonce。"
　　Helefttheroomquiteasabstractedly，andwhenhereachedthepassage，heapparentlycouldnotrememberwhathehadforgotten，ashewalkeddeliberatelytotheendwindow，where，withhisarmsfoldedbehindhisback，heremainedlookingoutintothestreet。A
　　passer-by，glancingup，mighthavesaidhehadseenthepale，sternghostofMr。Rushbrook，framedlikeastonyportraitinthewindow。
　　Buthepresentlyturnedaway，andre-enteredtheroom，goinguptoGrace，whowasstillsittingbythefire，inhisusualstronganddirectfashion。
　　"Well!Nowletmeseewhatyouwant。Ithinkthiswoulddo。"
　　Hetookaseatathisopendesk，andrapidlywroteafewlines。
　　"There，"hecontinued，"whenyouwritetoyouruncle，inclosethat。"
　　Gracetookit，andread:——
　　DEARMISSNEVIL，——PrayassureyourunclefrommethatIamquitereadytoguarantee，inanyformthathemayrequire，theundertakingrepresentedtohimbyMr。JohnSomers。Yoursverytruly，ROBERTRUSHBROOK。
　　Aquickflushmountedtotheyounggirl'scheeks。"ButthisisaSECURITY，Mr。Rushbrook，"shesaidproudly，handinghimbackthepaper，"andmyuncledoesnotrequirethat。NorshallIinsulthimoryoubysendingit。"
　　"ItisBUSINESS，MissNevil，"saidRushbrook，gravely。Hestopped，andfixedhiseyesuponheranimatedfaceandsparklingeyes。"Youcansendittohimornot，asyoulike。But"——araresmilecametohishandsomemouth——"asthisisalettertoYOU，youmustnotinsultMEbynotacceptingit。"
　　Replyingtohissmileratherthanthewordsthataccompaniedit，MissNevilsmiled，too。Nevertheless，shewasuneasyanddisturbed。Theinterview，whatevershemighthavevaguelyexpectedfromit，hadresolveditselfsimplyintoabusinessindorsementofherlover，whichshehadnotsought，andwhichgavehernosatisfaction。Yettherewasthesamepotentandindefinablyprotectingpresencebeforeherwhichshehadsought，butwhoseomniscienceandwhosehelpsheseemedtohavelostthespellandcouragetoputtothetest。Herelievedherinhisabruptbutnotunkindlyfashion。"Well，whenisittobe?"
　　"It?"
　　"Yourmarriage。"
　　"Oh，notforsometime。There'snohurry。"
　　ItmighthavestruckthepracticalMr。Rushbrookthat，evenconsideredasadesirablebusinessaffair，theprospectivecompletionofthiscontractprovokedneitherfranksatisfactionnorconventionaldissimulationonthepartoftheyounglady，forheregardedhercalmbutslightlyweariedexpressionfixedly。Butheonlysaid:"ThenIshallsaynothingofthisinterviewtoMr。
　　Leyton?"
　　"Asyouplease。Itreallymatterslittle。Indeed，IsupposeIwasratherfoolishincomingatall，andwastingyourvaluabletimefornothing。"
　　Shehadrisen，asiftakinghislastquestioninthesignificanceofapartingsuggestion，andwasstraighteninghertallfigure，preparatorytoputtingonhercloak。Asshereachedit，hesteppedforward，andlifteditfromthechairtoassisther。Theactwassounprecedented，asMr。Rushbrookneverindulgedinthoseminormasculinecourtesies，thatshewasmomentarilyasconfusedasayoungergirlatthegallantryofayoungerman。Intheirpreviousfriendshiphehadseldomdrawnnearherexcepttoshakeherhand——
　　acircumstancethathadalwaysrecurredtoherwhenhisfreeandfamiliarlifehadbeenthesubjectofgossip。Butshenowhadamorefrightenedconsciousnessthathernerveswerestrangelyrespondingtohispowerfulpropinquity，andsheinvoluntarilycontractedherprettyshouldersashegentlylaidthecloakuponthem。Yetevenwhentheactwascompleted，shehadasuperstitiousinstinctthatthesignificanceofthisrarecourtesywasthatitwasfinal，andthathehadhelpedhertointerposesomethingthatshuthimoutfromherforever。
　　Shewasturningawaywithaheightenedcolor，whenthesoundoflight，hurriedfootsteps，andtherustleofawoman'sdresswasheardinthehall。Aswiftrecollectionofhercompanion'sinfelicitousreputationnowreturnedtoher，andGraceNevil，withaslightstiffeningofherwholeframe，becamecoldlyherselfagain。Mr。Rushbrookbetrayedneithersurprisenoragitation。
　　Begginghertowaitamomentuntilhecouldarrangeforhertopasstohercarriageunnoticed，helefttheroom。
　　YetitseemedthatthecauseofthedisturbancewasunsuspectedbyMr。Rushbrook。Mr。Leyton，althoughlefttotheconsolationofcigarsandliquorsintheblueroom，hadbecomeslightlywearyofhiscompanion'sprolongedabsence。SatisfiedinhismindthatRushbrookhadjoinedthegayerparty，andthathewasevennowpayinggallantcourttotheSignora，hebecameagaincuriousanduneasy。Atlasttheunmistakablesoundofwhisperingvoicesinthepassagegotthebetterofhissenseofcourtesyasaguest，andherosefromhisseat，andslightlyopenedthedoor。Ashedidsothefiguresofamanandwoman，conversinginearnestwhispers，passedtheopening。Theman'sarmwasroundthewoman'swaist；thewomanwas——ashehadsuspected——theonewhohadstoodinthedoorway，theSignora——but——themanwasNOTRushbrook。Mr。Leytondrewbackthistimeinunaffectedhorror。ItwasnoneotherthanJackSomers!
　　Somewarninginstinctmustatthatmomenthavestruckthewoman，forwithastifledcryshedisengagedherselffromSomers'sarm，anddashedrapidlydownthehall。Somers，evidentlyunawareofthecause，stoodirresoluteforamoment，andthenmoresilentlybutswiftlydisappearedintoasidecorridorasiftointercepther。
　　ItwastherapidpassageoftheSignorathathadattractedtheattentionofGraceandRushbrookinthestudy，anditwasthemomentafteritthatMr。Rushbrookleft。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Vaguelyuneasy，andstillperplexedwithherpreviousagitation，asMr。Rushbrookclosedthedoorbehindhim，Grace，followingsomefeminineinstinctratherthananydefinitereason，walkedtothedoorandplacedherhanduponthelocktopreventanyintrusionuntilhereturned。Hercautionseemedtobejustifiedamomentlater，foraheavierbutstealthierfootstephaltedoutside。Thehandleofthedoorwasturned，butsheresisteditwiththefulleststrengthofhersmallhanduntilavoice，whichstartledher，calledinahurriedwhisper:——
　　"Openquick，'tisI。"
　　Shesteppedbackquickly，flungthedooropen，andbeheldSomersonthethreshold!
　　Theastonishment，agitation，andaboveall，theawkwardconfusionofthisusuallyself-possessedandreadyman，wassounlikehim，andwithalsopainful，thatGracehurriedtoputanendtoit，andforaninstantforgotherownsurpriseatseeinghim。Shesmiledassuringly，andextendedherhand。
　　"Grace——MissNevil——Ibegyourpardon——Ididn'timagine"——hebeganwithaforcedlaugh。"Imean，ofcourse——Icannot——but"——Hestopped，andthenassumingapeculiarexpression，said:"ButwhatareYOUdoinghere?"
　　Atanyothermomentthegirlwouldhaveresentedthetone，whichwasasnewtoherashispreviousagitation，butinherpresentself-consciousnesshersituationseemedtorequiresomeexplanation。"Icamehere，"shesaid，"toseeMr。Rushbrookonbusiness。Yourbusiness——OURbusiness，"sheadded，withacharmingsmile，usingforthefirsttimethepronounthatseemedtoindicatetheirunityandinterest，andyetfullyawareofavagueinsincerityindoingso。
　　"OurBUSINESS?"herepeated，ignoringhergentlermeaningwithachangedemphasisandalookofsuspicion。
　　"Yes，"saidGrace，alittleimpatiently。"Mr。LeytonthoughtheoughttowritetomyunclesomethingpositiveastoyourprospectswithMr。Rushbrook，and"——
　　"Youcameheretoinquire?"saidtheyoungman，sharply。
　　"Icameheretostopanyinquiry，"saidGrace，indignantly。"I
　　cameheretosayIwassatisfiedwithwhatyouhadconfidedtomeofMr。Rushbrook'sgenerosity，andthatwasenough!"
　　"WithwhatIhadconfidedtoyou?Youdaredsaythat?"
　　Gracestopped，andinstantlyfacedhim。Butanyindignationshemighthavefeltathisspeechandmannerwasswallowedupintherevulsionandhorrorthatovertookherwiththesuddenrevelationshesawinhiswhiteandfrightenedface。Leyton'sstrangeinquiry，Rushbrook'scoldcomposureandscornfulacceptanceofherowncredulousness，cametoherinaflashofshamefulintelligence。
　　Somershadlied!Theinsufferablemeannessofit!Alie，whoseveryuselessnessandignobilityhaddefeateditspurpose——aliethatimpliedthebasestsuspicionofherownindependenceandtruthfulness——suchalienowstoodoutasplainlybeforeherashisguiltyface。
　　"Forgivemyspeakingsorudely，"hesaidwithaforcedsmileandattempttorecoverhisself-control，"butyouhaveruinedmeunlessyoudenythatItoldyouanything。Itwasajoke——anextravagancethatIhadforgotten；atleast，itwasaconfidencebetweenyouandmethatyouhavefoolishlyviolated。Saythatyoumisunderstoodme——thatitwasafancyofyourown。Sayanything——hetrustsyou——
　　he'llbelieveanythingyousay。"
　　"HeHASbelievedme，"saidGrace，almostfiercely，turninguponhimwiththepaperthatRushbrookhadgivenherinheroutstretchedhand。"Readthat!"
　　Hereadit。Hadheblushed，hadhestammered，hadheevenkeptuphisformerfranticandpitiableattitude，shemightatthatsuprememomenthaveforgivenhim。Buttoherastonishmenthisfacechanged，hishandsomebrowcleared，hiscareless，happysmilereturned，hisgracefulconfidencecameback——hestoodbeforehertheelegant，courtly，andaccomplishedgentlemanshehadknown。Hereturnedherthepaper，andadvancingwithextendedhand，saidtriumphantly:——
　　"Superb!Splendid!Noonebutawomancouldthinkofthat!Andonlyonewomanachieveit。YouhavetrickedthegreatRushbrook。
　　Youareindeedworthyofbeingafinancier'swife!"