ButI——’’
　　``Behonest，’’interruptedhe。``Haven’tImadeitplainthatIwasfascinatedbyyou？’’
　　Shecouldnotdenyit。
　　``Haven’tIbeenshowingyouthatIwaswillingtodoeverythingIcouldforyou？’’
　　``Ithoughtyouwereconcernedonlyaboutthesuccessofthepiece。’’
　　``Thepiecebejiggered，’’saidhe。``Youdon’timagineYOUarenecessarytoitssuccess，doyou？You，araw，untrainedgirl。Don’tyourgoodsensetellyouIcouldfindadozenwhowoulddo，letussay，ALMOST
　　aswell？’’
　　``Iunderstandthat，’’murmuredshe。
　　``Perhapsyoudo，butIdoubtit，’’rejoinedhe。
　　``Vanity’safastgrowingweed。However，Iratherexpectedthatyouwouldremainsaneandreasonablyhumbleuntilyou’dhadarealsuccess。Butitseemsnot。Nowtellme，whyshouldIgivemytimeandmytalenttotrainingyou——toputtingyouinthewayofquickandbigsuccess？’’
　　Shewassilent。
　　``Whatdidyoucountongivingmeinreturn？Yourthanks？’’
　　Shecolored，hungherhead。
　　``Wasn’tIdoingforyousomethingworthwhile？
　　Andwhathadyoutogiveinreturn？’’Helaughedwithgentlemockery。``Really，youshouldhavebeengratefulthatIwaswillingtodosomuchforsolittle，forwhatIwantedought——ifyouareasensiblewoman——toseemtoyouatrifleincomparisonwithwhatI
　　wasdoingforyou。Itwasmypart，notyours，tothinkthecomplimentarythingsaboutyou。Howshallowandvainyouwomenare！Can’tyouseethatthevalueofyourcharmsisnotinthem，butintheimaginationofsomeman？’’
　　``Ican’tansweryou，’’saidshe。``You’veputitallwrong。Yououghtn’ttoaskpaymentforafavorbeyondprice。’’
　　``No，Ioughtn’ttoHAVEtoask，’’correctedhe，inthesamepleasantlyironicway。``Yououghttohavebeenmorethangladtogivefreely。But，curiously，whilewe’vebeentalking，I’vechangedmymindaboutthosepreciousjewelsofyours。We’llsaythey’repearls，andthatmytastehassuddenlychangedtodiamonds。’’Hebowedmockingly。``So，dearlady，keepyourpearls。’’
　　Andhestoodaside，openingthedoorforher。Shehesitated，dazedthatshewasleaving，withthefeelingoftheconquered，afieldonwhich，byalltheprecedents，sheoughttohavebeenvictor。Shepassedatroublednight，debatedwhethertorelateherqueerexperiencetoMrs。Belloc，decidedforsilence。Itdraftedintoserviceallherreserveofcouragetowalkintothetheaterthenextdayandtoappearonthestageamongtheassembledcompanywithherusualair。Ransdellgreetedherwithhiscustomaryfriendlycourtesyandgaveherhisattention，asalways。Bythetimetheyhadgotthroughthefirstact，inwhichherpartwasoneoffourofaboutequalimportance，shehadrecoveredherselfandwasinthewaytoforgetthestrangestagedirector’sstrangeattackandevenstrangerretreat。Butthesituationchangedwiththesecondact，inwhichshewasonthestageallthetimeandhadthewholeburden。Theactasoriginallywrittenhadbeenlessgeneroustoher。butRansdellhadtakenonethingafteranotherawayfromtheothersandhadgivenittoher。Shemadeherfirstentrancepreciselyashehadtrainedhertomakeitandbegan。Afewseconds，andhestoppedher。
　　``Pleasetryagain，MissGower，’’saidhe。``I’mafraidthatwon’tdo。’’
　　Shetriedagain。againhestoppedher。Shetriedathirdtime。Hismannerwasallcourtesyandconsideration，nottheshadeofachange。Butshebegantofeelalatenthostility。Instinctivelysheknewthathewouldnolongerhelpher，thathewouldleavehertoherownresources，andjudgeherbyhowsheacquittedherself。Shemadeablunderofherthirdtrial。
　　``Really，MissGower，thatwillneverdo，’’saidhemildly。``Letmeshowyouhowyoudidit。’’
　　Hegaveanimitationofher——aslightcaricature。
　　Atitterranthroughthechorus。Hesternlyrebukedthemandrequestedhertotryagain。Herfourthattemptwasherworst。Heshookhisheadingentleremonstrance。``Notquiterightyet，’’saidheregretfully。``Butwe’llgoon。’’
　　Notfar，however。Hestoppedheragain。Againthecourteous，kindlycriticism。Andsoon，throughtheentireact。Bytheendofit，Mildred’snerveswereunstrung。Shesawthewholegame，andrealizedhowhelplessshewas。Beforetheendofthatrehearsal，Mildredhadslippedbackfrompromisingprofessionalintoclumsyamateur，tolerableonlybecauseofthebeautifulfreshnessofhervoice——anditwasaquestionwhethervoicealonewouldsaveher。YetnoonebutMildredherselfsuspectedthatRansdellhaddoneit，hadrevengedhimself，hadservednoticeonherthatsinceshefeltstrongenoughtostandaloneshewastohaveeveryopportunitytodoso。Hehadsaidnothingdisagree-
　　able。onthecontrary，hehadbeenmostcourteous，mostforbearing。
　　Inthethirdactshewasworsethaninthesecond。
　　Attheendoftherehearsaltheothers，theretoforeflatteringandencouraging，turnedawaytotalkamongthemselvesandavoidedher。Ransdell，abouttoleave，said：
　　``Don’tlooksodown-hearted，MissGower。You’llbeallrightto-morrow。Anoffday’snothing。’’
　　Hesaiditloudlyenoughfortheotherstohear。
　　Mildred’sfacegrewredwithwhitestreaksacrossit，liketheprintsofalash。Thesubtlestfeatureofhismalevolencehadbeenthat，whereasonotherdayshehadtakenherasidetocriticizeher，onthisdayhehadspokenout——gently，deprecatingly，butfrankly——beforethewholecompany。NeverhadMildredGowerbeensosadandsoblueasshewasthatdayandthatnight。Shecametotherehearsalthefollowingdaywithasorethroat。Shesang，buthervoicecrackedonthehighnotes。Itwasapainfulexhibition。Herfellowprincipals，whohadbeenrathergladofherset-backthedaybefore，werefullofpityandsympathy。Theydidnotexpressit。theyweretookindforthat。Buttheirlooks，theirdrawingawayfromher——Mildredcouldhavebornesneersandjeersbetter。AndRansdellwasSOforbearing，SOgentle。
　　Hervoicegotbetter，gotworse。Heractingremainedmediocretobad。Atthefifthrehearsalafterthebreakwiththestage-director，MildredsawCrossleyseatedfarbackintheduskoftheemptytheater。Itwashisfirstappearanceatrehearsalssincethemiddleofthefirstweek。Assoonashehadsatisfiedhimselfthatallwasgoingwell，hehadgivenhisattentiontoothermatterswherethingswerenotgoingwell。Mildredknewwhyhewasthere——andsheactedandsangatrociously。
　　Ransdellaggravatedhernervousnessbyostentatiouslytryingtohelpher，bymakingseeminglyadroitattemptstocoverhermistakes——attemptsapparentlythwartedandexposedonlybecauseshewashopelesslybad。
　　InthepausebetweenthesecondandthirdactsRansdellwentdownandsatwithCrossley，andtheyengagedinearnestconversation。Thewhile，themembersofthecompanywanderedrestlesslyaboutthestage，makingfeebleattemptstoliftthegloomwithaffectedcheerfulness。
　　Ransdellreturnedtothestage，wentuptoMildred，whowassittingidlyturningtheleavesofapart-book。
　　``MissGower，’’saidhe，andneverhadhisvoicebeensofriendlyasintheseregretfulaccents，``don’ttrytogoonto-day。You’reevidentlynotyourself。Gohomeandrestforafewdays。We’llgetalongwithyourunderstudy，MissEsmond。WhenMr。Crossleywantstoputyouinagain，he’llsendforyou。Youmustn’tbediscouraged。Iknowhowbeginnerstakethesethingstoheart。Don’tfretaboutit。Youcan’tfailtosucceed。’’
　　Mildredroseand，howsheneverknew，crossedthestage。Shestumbledintotheflats，fumbledherwaytothepassageway，toherdressing-room。Shefeltthatshemustescapefromthattheaterquickly，orshewouldgivewaytosomesortofwildattackofnerves。ShefairlyranthroughthestreetstoMrs。Belloc’s，shutherselfinherroom。Butinsteadofthereliefofastormoftears，therecameablack，hideousdepression。Hourafterhourshesat，almostwithoutmotion。Theafternoonwaned。theearlydarknesscame。Stillshedidnotmove——couldnotmove。Ateighto’clockMrs。Bellocknocked。Mildreddidnotanswer。Herdooropened——shehadforgottentolockit。IncameMrs。Belloc。
　　``Isn’tthatyou，sittingbythewindow？’’shesaid。
　　``Yes，’’repliedMildred。
　　``Irecognizedtheoutlineofyourhat。Besides，whoelsecoulditbebutyou？I’vesavedsomedinnerforyou。Ithoughtyouwerestillout。’’
　　Mildreddidnotanswer。
　　``What’sthematter？’’saidAgnes？``Ill？badnews？’’
　　``I’velostmyposition，’’saidMildred。
　　Apause。ThenMrs。Bellocfeltherwayacrosstheroomuntilshewastouchingthegirl。``Tellmeaboutit，dear，’’saidshe。
　　Inamonotonous，lifelesswayMildredtoldthestory。
　　ItwassometimeaftershefinishedwhenAgnessaid：
　　``That’sbad——bad，butitmightbeworse。Youmustgotoseethemanager，Crossley。’’
　　``Why？’’saidMildred。
　　``Tellhimwhatyoutoldme。’’
　　Mildred’ssilencewasdissent。
　　``Itcan’tdoanyharm，’’urgedAgnes。
　　``Itcan’tdoanygood，’’repliedMildred。
　　``Thatisn’tthewaytolookatit。’’
　　Alongpause。ThenMildredsaid：``IfIgotaplacesomewhereelse，I’dmeetthesamethinginanotherform。’’
　　``You’vegottoriskthat。’’
　　``Besides，I’dneverhavehadachanceofsucceedingifMr。Ransdellhadn’ttaughtmeandstoodbehindme。’’
　　ItwasmanyminutesbeforeAgnesBellocsaidinahesitating，restrainedvoice：``Theysaythatsuccess——anykindofsuccess——hasitsprice，andthatonehastobereadytopaythatpriceorfail。’’
　　Againtheprofoundsilence。Intoitgraduallypenetratedthesoft，insistentsoundofthedistantroarofNewYork——acruel，clamorous，devouringsoundlikeademandforthatpriceofsuccess。SaidAgnestimidly：
　　``WhynotgotoseeMr。Ransdell。’’
　　``Hewouldn’tmakeitup，’’saidMildred。``AndI——
　　Icouldn’t。ItriedtomarryStanleyBairdformoney——andIcouldn’t。Itwouldbethesamewaynow——onlymoreso。’’
　　``Butyou’vegottodosomething。’’
　　``Yes，andIwill。’’Mildredhadrisenabruptly，wasstandingatthewindow。AgnesBelloccouldfeelhersoulrearingdefiantlyatthecityintowhichshewasgazing。``Iwill！’’shereplied。
　　``Itsoundsasifyou’dbeenpushedtowhereyou’dturnandmakeafight，’’saidAgnes。
　　``Ihopeso，’’saidMildred。``It’shightime。’’
　　ShethoughtoutseveralmoreorlessingeniousindirectroutesintoMr。Crossley’sstronghold，foruseincasefrontalattackfailed。Butshedidnotneedthem。
　　Still，thehoursshespentinplanningthemwerebynomeanswasted。Notimeiswastedthatisspentindesperate，concentratedthinkingaboutanyofthepracticalproblemsoflife。AndMildredGower，asmuchasanyotherwomanofhertraining——orlackoftraining——
　　wasdeficientinabilitytousehermindpurposefully。
　　Mostofusletourmindsactlikeasheepinapasture——gowanderinghitherandyon，nibblingatwhateverhappenstooffer。Onlythesuperiorfewdeliberatelyselectapasture，selectalineofprocedureinthatpastureandkeeptoit，concentratinguponwhatisusefultous，andthatalone。SoitwasexcellentexperienceforMildredtositdownandthinkconnectedlyandwithwhollyabsorbedminduponthephaseofhercareermostimportantatthemoment。Whenshehadworkedoutalltheplansthathadpromiseinthemshewenttranquillytosleep，astrongerandamoredeterminedperson，forshehadsaidwiththeenergythatcounts：``Ishallseehim，somehow。Ifnoneoftheseschemesworks，I’llworkoutothers。He’sgottoseeme。’’
　　Butitwasnooccult``bearingdown’’thatledhimtoorderheradmittedtheinstanthercardcame。Helikedher。hewishedtoseeheragain。hefeltthatitwasthedecentthing，andsomehownotdifficultgentlybutclearlytoconveytoherthetruth。Onhersideshe，whohadlookedforwardtotheinterviewwithsomenervousness，wasathereasethemomentshefacedhimaloneinthatinneroffice。Hehadextraordinarypersonalcharm——morethanRansdell，thoughRansdellhadthecharminvariablyfoundinahandsomehumanbeingwiththemany-sidedintellectthatgiveslightnessofmind。Crossleywasnotintellectual，notintheleast。Onehadonlytoglanceathimtoseethathewasoneofthosemenwhoreservealltheirintelligenceforthepracticalsidesofthepracticalthingthatformsthebasisoftheirmaterialcareer。Heknewsomethingofmanythings，hadawonderfulassortmentoftalents——couldsing，couldplaypianoorviolin，couldcompose，couldact，coulddomystifyingcardtricks，couldorderwomen’sclothesasdiscriminatinglyashecouldorderhisown——allthesethingsalittle，butnothingmuchexceptmakingasuccessofmusicalcomedyandcomicopera。Hehadanambition，carefullyrestrainedinaclosetofhismind，whereitcouldnotissueforthandinterferewithhisbusiness。Thisambitionwastobeagiverofgrandoperaonasuperbscale。Heregardedhimselfasameremoney-maker——wasnotashamedofthis，butneitherwasheproudofit。Hisambitionthenrepresentedadreamofarisetosomethingmorethanbusinessman，tofriendandencouragerandwetnursetoart。
　　MildredGowerhadhappenedtosethisimaginationtoworking。Thediscoverythatshewasoneofthosewhosepersonalitiesrousehighexpectationsonlytomockthemhadbeenasevereblowtohisconfidenceinhisownjudgment。Thoughhepretendedtobelieve，andhadthehabitofsayingthathewas``weakandsoft，’’wasalwaysbeingmisledbyhisgoodnature，hereallybelievedhimselfanunerringjudgeofhumanbeings，and，ashissuccessevidenced，hewasnotfarwrong。Thus，thoughconvincedthatMildredwasa``falsealarm，’’
　　hissecretvanitywouldnotlethimreleasehisoriginalidea。Hehadthetenacitythatisanimportantelementinallsuccesses。andtenacitybecomeafixedhabithasevenbeenknowntoruinintheendtheverycareersithasmade。
　　SaidMildred，inamannerwhichwasastonishinglyunemotionalandbusinesslike：``I’venotcometotattleandtowhine，Mr。Crossley。I’vehesitatedaboutcomingatall，partlybecauseI’veaninstinctit’suseless，partlybecausewhatIhavetosayisn’teasy。’’
　　Crossley’sexpressionhardened。Theoldstory！——
　　excuses，excuses，self-excuse——somebodyelsetoblame。
　　``Ifithadn’tbeenforMr。Ransdell——thetroublehetookwithme，thecoachinghegaveme——I’dhavebeenaridiculousfailureattheveryfirstrehearsal。But——itistoMr。Ransdellthatmyfailureisdue。’’
　　``MydearMissGower，’’saidCrossley，politebutcold，``Iregrethearingyousaythat。Thefactisverydifferent。Notuntilyouhaddoneso——sounacceptablyatseveralrehearsalsthatnewsofitreachedmebyanotherway——notuntilImyselfwenttoMr。
　　Ransdellaboutyoudidheadmitthattherecouldbeapossibilityofadoubtofyoursucceeding。IhadtogotorehearsalmyselfanddirectlyorderhimtorestoreMissEsmondandlayyouoff。’’
　　Mildredwasnotunprepared。Shereceivedthistranquilly。``Mr。Ransdellisaverycleverman，’’saidshewithperfectgoodhumor。``I’venohopeofconvincingyou，butImusttellmyside。’’
　　Andclearlyandsimply，withnoconcealmentsthroughfearofdisturbinghishighidealofherladylikedeli-
　　cacy，shetoldhimthestory。Helistened，seatedwellbackinhistilteddesk-chair，hisgazeupontheceiling。
　　Whenshefinishedheheldhisposeamoment，thengotupandpacedthelengthoftheofficeseveraltimes，hishandsinhispockets。Hepaused，lookedkeenlyather，agood-humoredsmileinthoseeyesofhissofascinatingtowomenbecauseoftheirfrankwaveringofaninconstancyitwouldindeedbeatriumphtoseizeandhold。
　　Saidhe：
　　``Andyourbadthroat？DidRansdellgiveyouagerm？’’
　　Shecolored。Hehadgonestraightattheweakpoint。
　　``Ifyou’dbeenabletosing，’’hewenton，``nobodycouldhavedoneyouup。’’
　　Shecouldnotgatherherselftogetherforspeech。
　　``Didn’tyouknowyourvoicewasn’treliablewhenyoucametome？’’
　　``Yes，’’sheadmitted。
　　``Andwasn’tthattheREALreasonyouhadgivenupgrandopera？’’pursuedhemercilessly。
　　``ThereasonwaswhatItoldyou——lackofmoney，’’
　　repliedshe。``IdidnotgointothereasonwhyIlackedmoney。WhyshouldIwhen，evenonmyworstdays，Icouldgetthroughallmypartinamusicalcomedy——
　　exceptsongsthatcouldbecutdownorcutout？IfI
　　couldhavemadegoodatacting，wouldyouhavegivenmeuponaccountofmyvoice？’’
　　``Notifyouhadbeengoodenough，’’headmitted。
　　``ThenIdidnotgetmyengagementonfalsepretenses？’’
　　``No。Youareright。Still，yourfall-downasasingeristheimportantfact。Don’tlosesightofit。’’
　　``Ishan’t，’’saidshetersely。
　　Hiseyeswerefranklylaughing。``AstoRansdell——whataclevertrick！He’saremarkableman。Ifheweren’tsoshrewdinthoselittleways，hemighthavebeenagreatman。Sameoldstory——justalittletoosmart，andsoalwaysdoingthelittlethingandmissingthebigthing。Yes，hewentgunningforyou——andgotyou。’’Hedroppedintohischair。Hethoughtamoment，laughedaloud，wenton：``Nodoubthehasworkedthatsametrickmanyatime。I’vesuspecteditonceortwice，butthistimehefooledme。Hegotyou，MissGower，andIcandonothing。YoumustseethatIcan’tlookafterdetails。AndIcan’tgiveupasinvaluableamanasRansdell。IfIputyouback，he’dputyouout——wouldmakethepiecefailratherthanletyousucceed。’’
　　Mildredwasgazingsomberlyatthefloor。
　　``It’shardlines——devilishhardlines，’’hewentonsympathetically。``ButwhatcanIdo？’’
　　``WhatcanIdo？’’saidMildred。
　　``Doasallpeopledowhosucceed——meettheconditions。’’
　　``I’mnotpreparedtogoasfarasthat，atleastnotyet，’’saidshewithbittersarcasm。``PerhapswhenI’mactuallystarvingandinrags——’’
　　``Averydistressingfuture，’’interruptedCrossley。
　　``But——Ididn’tmaketheworld。Don’tberateme。
　　Besensible——andbehonest，MissGower，andtellme——
　　howcouldIpossiblyprotectyouandcontinuetogivesuccessfulshows？Ifyoucansuggestanyfeasibleway，I’lltakeit。’’
　　``No，thereisn’tanyway，’’repliedshe，risingtogo。
　　Herosetoescorthertothehalldoor。``Personally，theRansdellsortofthingis——distastefultome。PerhapsifIwerenotsobusyImightbeforcedbymyowngiddymisconducttotakelesshighground。I’veobservedthatthebestthatcanbesaidforhumannatureatitsbestisthatitisaswellbehavedasitsrealtemptationspermit。Hewasmakingyou，youknow。You’veadmittedit。’’
　　``There’snodoubtaboutthat，’’saidMildred。
　　``Mindyou，I’mnotexcusinghim。I’msimplyexplaininghim。Ifyourvoicehadbeenallright——ifyoucouldhavestoodtoanydegreethetestheputyouto，thetestofstandingalone——you’dhavedefeatedhim。Hewouldn’thavedaredgoon。He’stooshrewdtothinkarealtalentcanbebeaten。’’
　　Thestronglines，thelatentcharacter，inMildred’sfaceweresostronglyinevidencethatlookingatherthennoonewouldhavethoughtofherbeautyorevenofhersex，butonlyoftheforcethatresistsallandovercomesall。``Yes——thevoice，’’saidshe。``Thevoice。’’
　　``Ifit’severreliable，cometoseeme。Untilthen——’’
　　Heputouthishand。Whenshegavehimhers，hehelditinawaythatgavehernoimpulsetodrawback。
　　``Youknowtheconditionsofsuccessnow。Youmustpreparetomeetthem。IfyouputyourselfatthemercyoftheRansdells——oranyotherofthepettyintriguersthatbeseteveryavenueofsuccess——youmusttaketheconsequences，youmustconciliatethemasbestyoucan。
　　Ifyoudon’twishtobeattheirmercy，youmustdoyourpart。’’
　　Shenodded。Hereleasedherhand，openedthehalldoor。Hesaid：
　　``Forgivemylittlelecture。ButIlikeyou，andI
　　can’thelphavinghopeofyou。’’Hesmiledcharmingly，hiskeen，inconstanteyesdimming。``PerhapsI
　　hopebecauseyou’reyoungandextremelylovelyandI
　　ampitifullysusceptible。Yousee，you’dbettergo。
　　Everyman’saRansdellatheartwhereprettywomenareconcerned。’’
　　Shedidnotleavethebuilding。ShewenttotheelevatorandaskedtheboywhereshecouldfindSignorMoldini。Hisofficewasthebigroomonthethirdfloorwherevoicecandidateswereusuallytriedout，threedaysintheweek。Atthemomenthewasengaged。Mildred，seatedinthetinyanteroom，heardthroughtheglassdooragirlsinging，ortryingtosing。Itwasadistressingperformance，andMildredwonderedthatMoldinicouldbesotolerantastohearherthrough。Hecametothedoorwithher，thankedherprofusely，toldherhewouldletherknowwhenevertherewasanopening``suitedtoyourtalents。’’AsheobservedMildred，hewasstillsighingandshakinghisheadoverthedepartedcandidate。
　　``Uglyandignorant！’’hegroaned。``Poorcreature！Poor，poorcreature。Shemakesthreedollarsaweek——inafactoryownedbyagreatphilanthropist。
　　Threedollarsaweek。Andshehasnowaytomakeacentmore。MissGower，theytalkaboutthesad，naughtygirlswhosellthemselvesinthestreettopieceouttheirwages。Butthink，dearyounglady，howinfinitelybetteroftheyarethantheuglyoneswhocan’tpieceouttheirwages。’’
　　Therehelookeddirectlyatherforthefirsttime。
　　Beforeshecouldgraspthetragicsadnessofhisidea，he，withthemobilityofcandidandhighlysensitizednatures，shiftedfrommelancholytogay，forinlookingatherhehadcaughtonlythecharmofdress，offace，ofarrangementofhair。``Whatapleasure！’’heexclaimed，burstingintosmilesandseizingandkissingherglovedhands。``Voicelikeabird，facelikeanangel——onlynotTOOgood，no，notTOOgood。Butitissorare——tolookasonesings，tosingasonelooks。’’
　　Foronce，compliment，sincerecomplimentfromonewhoseopinionwasworthwhile，gaveMildredpain。Sheburstoutwithhernews：``SignorMoldini，I’velostmyplaceinthecompany。Myvoicehasgonebackonme。’’
　　UsuallyMoldiniaboundedintheconsiderationoffinenaturesthathavesuffereddeeplyfromlackofconsideration。
　　Buthewassoastoundedthathecouldonlystarestupidlyather，smoothinghislonggreasyhairwithhisthinbrownhand。
　　``It’sallmyfault。Idon’ttakecareofmyself，’’shewenton。``Idon’ttakecareofmyhealth。Atleast，Ihopethat’sit。’’
　　``Hope！’’hesaid，suddenlyangry。
　　``Hopeso，becauseifitisn’tthat，thenI’venochanceforacareer，’’explainedshe。
　　Helookedatherfeet，pointedanuncannilylongforefingeratthem。``Thecrossingsandsidewalksareslush——andyou，asinger，withoutovershoes！Lunacy！
　　Lunacy！’’
　　``I’veneverwornovershoes？’’saidMildredapologetically。
　　``Don’ttellme！Iwishnottohear。Itmakesme——likemadnesshere。’’Hestruckhislowslopingbrowwithhispalm。``Whatvanity！Thatthefeetmaylookwelltothepassingstranger，noovershoes！
　　Rheumatism，sorethroat，colds，pneumonia。Isitnotdisgusting。IfyouwereamanIshouldswearinallthelanguagesIknow——whicharefive，includingHungarian，andwhenoneswearsinHungarianitis`goingsome，’asyousayinAmerica。Yes，itisgoingquitesome。’’
　　``Ishallwearovershoes，’’saidMildred。
　　``Andindigestion——youhavethat？’’
　　``Alittle，Iguess。’’
　　``Much——much，Itellyou！’’criedMoldini，shakingthelongfingerather。``YouAmericans！Youeattoofastandyoueattoomuch。Thatiswhyyouarealwayssick，andconsultingthedoctorswhogivethemedicinesthatmakeworse，notbetter。Yes，youAmericansarelikechildren。Youknownothing。Sing？
　　Americanscannotsinguntiltheylearnthatastomachisn’tawaste-basket，totosseverythinginto。Youhavebeentothatthroatspecialist，Hicks？’’
　　``Ah，yes，’’saidMildredbrightening。``Hesaidtherewasnothingorganicallywrong。’’
　　``Heisanass，andacriminal。Heruinsthroats。
　　Helikestocut，andhelikestospray。Hespraysthosepoisonsthatrelievecoldsandparalyzethethroatandcords。Americanssing？Itistolaugh！Theyhavetoomanydoctors。theytaketoomanypills。Doyouknowwhatyournationalemblemshouldbe？Adollar-
　　sign——yes。Butthatforallnations。No，apill——apill，Itellyou。Youtakepills？’’
　　``Nowandthen，’’saidMildred，laughing。``IadmitIhaveseveralkindsalwaysonhand。’’
　　``Yousee！’’criedhetriumphantly。``No，itisnotmereartthatAmericaneeds，butmoresenseabouteating——andtokeepawayfromthedoctors。Peoplefullofpills，theycannotmakepoemsandpictures，andwriteoperasandsingthem。Throwawaythosepills，dearyounglady，Iimploreyou。’’
　　``SignorMoldini，I’vecometoaskyoutohelpme。’’
　　InstantlytheItalianclearedhisfaceofitshalf-
　　humorous，half-querulousexpression。Initsplacecameagraveandcourteouseagernesstoserveherthatwasapleasure，evenifitwasnotaltogethersincere。AndMildredcouldnotbelieveitsincere。Whyshouldhecarewhatbecameofher，orbewillingtoputhimselfoutforher？
　　``Youtoldmeonedaythatyouhadatonetimetaughtsinging，’’continuedshe。
　　``UntilIwasstarvedout？’’repliedhe。``Itoldpeoplethetruth。IftheycouldnotsingIsaidso。IftheysangbadlyItoldthemwhy，anditwasalwaystheupsetstomach，thefoolishfood，andpeoplewillnottakecareaboutfood。Theywilleatwhattheyplease，andtheysayeatingisgoodforthem，andthatanyonewhoopposesthemisacrank。Somostofmypupilsleft，exceptthoseItaughtfornothing——andtheydidnotheedme，andcametonothing。’’
　　``Youshowedmeintenminutesonedayhowtocuremyworstfault。I’vesungbetter，morenaturallyeversince。’’
　　``Youcouldsinglikethebirds。Youdo——almost。
　　Youcouldbetaughttosingasfreelyandsweetlyandnaturallyasaflowergivesperfume。ThatisYOUR
　　divinegift，youngladysongaspureandfreshasabird’ssongrainingdownthroughtheleavesfromthetree-top。’’
　　``Ihavenomoney。I’vegottogetit，andIshallgetit，’’continuedMildred。``Iwantyoutoteachme——atanyhourthatyouarefree。AndIwanttoknowhowmuchyouwillcharge，sothatIshallknowhowmuchtoget。’’
　　``Twodollarsalesson。Or，ifyoutakesixlessonsaweek，tendollars。Thoseweremyterms。Icouldnottakeless。’’
　　``Itistoolittle，’’saidMildred。``Thepoorestkindsofteachersgetfivedollarsanhour——andteachnothing。’’
　　``Twodollars，tendollarsaweek，’’repliedhe。``ItisthemostIevercouldget。Iwillnottakemorefromyou。’’
　　``Itistoolittle，’’saidshe。``ButI’llnotinsist——
　　forobviousreasons。Now，ifyou’llgivemeyourhomeaddress，I’llgo。WhenIgetthemoney，I’llwritetoyou。’’
　　``Butwait！’’criedhe，assherosetodepart。``Whysohurried？Letussee。Takeofthewrap。Stepbe-
　　hindthescreenandloosenyourcorset。Perhapsevenyoucouldtakeitoff？’’
　　``Notwithoutundressing，’’saidMildred。``ButI
　　candothatifit’snecessary。’’Shelaughedqueerly。
　　``FromthistimeonI’lldoANYTHINGthat’snecessary。’’
　　``No，——nevermind。Thedressofwoman——ofyourkindofwomen。Itisnotserious。’’Helaughedgrimly。``Asfortheotherkind，theirdressistheonlyseriousthingaboutthem。Itisamistaketothinkthatwomenwhodressbadlyareserious。Myexperiencehasbeenthattheyarethemostfoolishofall。Fashionabledress——itispartofawoman’stools。Itshowsthatsheisgoodatherbusiness。Thewomenwhotrytodresslikemen，theyaregoodneitheratmen’sbusinessnoratwomen’s。’’
　　This，whileMildredwasbehindthescreen，looseninghercorset——though，infact，sheworeitsolooseatalltimesthatsheinconveniencedherselfsimplytoshowherwillingnesstodoasshewastold。Whenshecameout，Moldiniputherthrougharigidphysicalexamination——madeherbreathewhileheheldonehandonherstomach，theotheronherback，listenedatherheart，openedwideherthroatandpeereddown，thrusthislongstrongfingersdeepintothemusclesofherarms，herthroat，herchest，untilshehaddifficultyinnotcryingoutwithpain。
　　``Thefoundationisthere，’’washisverdict。``Youhaveagoodbody，goodmuscles，butflabby——alady’smuscles，notanoperasinger’s。Andyouarestiff——
　　notsostiffaswhenyoufirstcamehere，butstiffforaprofessional。Ah，wemustgoatthisscientifically，thoroughly。’’
　　``Youwillteachmetobreathe——andhowtoproducemyvoicenaturally？’’
　　``Iwillteachyounothing，’’repliedhe。``Iwilltellyouwhattodo，andyouwillteachyourself。Youmustgetstrong——stronginthesuppleway——andthenyouwillsingasGodintended。Thewaytosing，dearyounglady，istosing。Nottobreatheartificially，andmakefaces，andfusswithyourthroat，butsimplytodropyourmouthandthroatopenandletitout！’’
　　Mildredproducedfromherhand-bagtheKeithpaper。``WhatdoYOUthinkofthat？’’sheasked。
　　Presentlyhelookedupfromhisreading。``ThispartIhaveseenbefore，’’saidhe。``ItisLuciaRivi’s。
　　Hercousin，LottaDrusini，showedittome——shewasagreatsingeralso。’’
　　``Youapproveofit？’’
　　``Ifyouwillfollowthatfortwoyears，faithfully，youwillbesecurelygreat，andthenyouwillfollowitallyoursinginglife——anditwillbelong。Butremember，dearyounglady，IsaidIFyoufollowit，andIsaidfaithfully。Idonotbelieveyoucan。’’
　　``Whynot？’’saidMildred。
　　``Becausethatmeansself-denial，colossalself-denial。
　　Youlovethingstoeat——yes？’’
　　Mildrednodded。
　　``Wealldo，’’saidMoldini。``Andwehateroutine，andwelikefoolish，aimlesslittlepleasuresofallkinds。’’
　　``AnditwillbetwoyearsbeforeIcantrygrandopera——canmakemyliving？’’saidMildredslowly。
　　``Ididnotsaythat。Isaid，beforeyouwouldbegreat。No，youcansing，Ithink，in——wait。’’
　　Moldiniflungrapidlythroughanenormousmassofmusiconalargetable。``Ah，here！’’hecried，andheshowedheramanuscriptofscales。``Thosetwopapers。
　　Itdoesnotlookmuch？Well，Ihavemadeitup，myself。Andwhenyoucansingthosetwopapersperfectly，youwillbeagreatersingerthananythateverlived。’’Helaugheddelightedly。``Yes，itisallthere——intwopages。Butdonotweep，dearlady，becauseyouwillneversingthemperfectly。Youwilldoverywellif——Alwaysthatif，remember！Now，letussee。Takethis，sitinthechair，andbegin。Don’tbotheraboutme。Iexpectnothing。Justdothebestyoucan。’’
　　Desperation，whenitfallsshortofdespair，isthebestwordforachievement。Mildred’svoice，especiallyattheoutset，wasfarfromperfectcondition。Herhighnotes，whichhadneverbeendevelopedproperly，werealmostbad。Butsheacquittedherselfadmirablyfromthestandpointofshowingwhatherpossibilitieswere。AndMoldini，unkempt，almostunclean，butasnaturalandsimpleandhumanasoulaseverpaidthepenaltiesofpovertyandobscurityandfriendlessnessforbeingnaturalandsimpleandhuman，exactlysuitedherpeculiartemperament。Sheknewthathelikedher，thathebelievedinher。sheknewthathewasassympathetictowardherasherownself，thattherewasnomeannessanywhereinhim。Soshesanglikeabird——
　　abirdthatwasnottoowellinsoulorinbody，butstillabirdoutinthesunshine，withtheairsofspringcheer-
　　inghisbreastanditsfoliagegladdeninghiseyes。Hekeptheratitfornearlyanhour。Shesawthathewaspleased，thathehadthoughtoutsomeplanandwasburstingtotellher，buthadforbiddenhimselftospeakofit。Hesaid：
　　``Yousayyouhavenomoney？’’
　　``No，butIshallgetit。’’
　　``Youmayhavetopayhighforit——yes？’’
　　Shecolored，butdidnotflinch。``Atworst，itwillbe——unpleasant，butthat’sall。’’
　　``Waitone——twodays——untilyouhearfromme。
　　Imay——Idonotsaywill，butmay——getit。Yes，I
　　whohavenothing。’’Helaughedgayly。``Andwe——
　　youandI——wewilldividethespoils。’’Gravely。``Donotmisunderstand。Thatwasmylittlejoke。IfIgetthemoneyforyouitwillbequitehonorableandbusinesslike。
　　So——wait，dearyounglady。’’
　　Asshewasgoing，shecouldnotresistsaying：
　　``YouareSUREIcansing？——IF，ofcourse——alwaystheif。’’
　　``Itisnottobedoubted。’’
　　``Howwell，doyouthink？’’
　　``Youmeanhowmanydollarsanightwell？Youmeanaswellasthisgreatsingerorthat？Idonotknow。Andyouarenottocompareyourselfwithanyonebutyourself。YouwillsingaswellasMildredGoweratherbest。’’
　　Forsomereasonherbloodwenttinglingthroughherveins。Ifshehaddaredshewouldhavekissedhim。
　　X
　　THATsameafternoonDonaldKeith，arrivedatthetopofMrs。Belloc’ssteps，metMildredcomingout。
　　Seeingtheirgreeting，onewouldhavethoughttheyhadseeneachotherbutafewminutesbeforeorwerecasualacquaintances。Saidshe：
　　``I’mgoingforawalk。’’
　　``Let’stakethetaxi，’’saidhe。
　　Thereitstoodinvitinglyatthecurb。Shefelttired。
　　Shedislikedwalking。Shewishedtositbesidehimandbewhirledaway——outofthenoisypartofthecity，upwheretheairwascleanandwheretherewerenocrowds。
　　ButshehadbeguntheregimenofLuciaRivi。Shehesitated。Whatmatterifshebegannoworputoffbeginninguntilafterthisonelastdrive？
　　``No，wewillwalk，’’saidshe。
　　``Butthestreetsareinfrightfulcondition。’’
　　Shethrustoutafootcoveredwithanewandshinystorm-rubber。
　　``Let’sdrivetotheparkthen。We’llwalkthere。’’
　　``No。IfIgetintothetaxi，I’llnotgetout。Senditaway。’’
　　WhentheyweremovingafootupMadisonAvenue，hesaid：``What’sthematter？Thisisn’tlikeyou。’’
　　``I’vecometomysenses，’’repliedshe。``Itmaybetoolate，butI’mgoingtosee。’’
　　``WhenIcalledonMrs。Brindleytheotherday，’’
　　saidhe，``shehadyournote，sayingthatyouweregoingintomusicalcomedywithCrossley。’’
　　``That’sover，’’saidshe。``Ilostmyvoice，andI
　　lostmyjob。’’
　　``SoIheard，’’saidhe。``IknowCrossley。I
　　droppedintoseehimthismorning，andhetoldmeaboutafoolish，fashionablegirlwhomadeabluffatgoingonthestage——hesaidshehadagoodvoiceandwasaswelllooker，butprovedtobearegular`four-
　　flusher。’Irecognizedyou。’’
　　``Thanks，’’saidshedryly。
　　``So，Icametoseeyou。’’
　　SheinquiredaboutMrs。BrindleyandthenaboutStanleyBaird。FindingthathewasinItaly，sheinquired：``Doyouhappentoknowhisaddress？’’
　　``I’llgetitandsendittoyou。HehastakenahouseatMonteCarloforthewinter。’’
　　``Andyou？’’
　　``Ishallstayhere——Ithink。’’
　　``Youmayjoinhim？’’
　　``Itdepends’’——helookedather——``uponyou。’’
　　Hecouldputawonderfulamountofmeaningintoaslightinflection。Shestruggled——notinvain——tokeepfromchangingexpression。
　　``Yourealizenowthatthecareerisquitehopeless？’’
　　saidhe。
　　Shedidnotanswer。
　　``Youdonotlikethestagelife？’’
　　``No。’’
　　``Andthestagelifedoesnotlikeyou？’’
　　``No。’’
　　``Yourvoicelacksbothstrengthandstability？’’
　　``Yes。’’
　　``Andyouhavefoundtheonewaybywhichyoucouldgeton——andyoudon’tlikeit？’’
　　``Crossleytoldyou？’’saidshe，thecolorflaring。
　　``Yournamewasnotmentioned。Youmaynotbelieveit，butCrossleyisagentleman。’’
　　Shewalkedoninsilence。
　　``Ididnotexpectyourfailuretocomesosoon——orinquitethatway，’’hewenton。``IgotMrs。Brindleytoexactapromisefromyouthatyou’dletherknowaboutyourself。IcalledonMrs。Belloconedaywhenyouwereout，andgavehermyconfidenceandgothers——andassuredmyselfthatyouwereingoodhands。
　　Crossley’stalegaveme——ashock。Icameatonce。’’
　　``Thenyoudidn’tabandonmetomyfate，asI
　　thought？’’
　　Hesmiledinhisstrangeway。``I？——whenIlovedyou？Hardly。’’
　　``Thenyoudidinterestyourselfinmebecauseyoucared——preciselyasIsaid，’’laughedshe。
　　``AndIshouldhavegivenyouupifyouhadsucceeded——preciselyasIsaid，’’repliedhe。
　　``Youwishedmetofail？’’
　　``Iwishedyoutofail。IdideverythingIcouldtohelpyoutosucceed。Ievenleftyouabsolutelyalone，setyouintherightway——theonlywayinwhichanyonecanwinsuccess。’’
　　``Yes，youmademethrowawaythecrutchesandtrytowalk。’’
　　``Itwashardtodothat。Thosestrainsareverywearingatmytimeoflife。’’
　　``Youneverwereanyyounger，andyou’llneverbeanyolder，’’laughedshe。``That’syourcharm——oneofthem。’’
　　``Mildred，doyoustillcare？’’
　　``Howdidyouknow？’’inquiredshemockingly。
　　``Youdidn’ttrytoconcealit。I’dnothaveventuredtosayanddothethingsIsaidanddidifIhadn’tfeltthatwecaredforeachother。But，solongasyouwereleadingthatfatuouslifeanddreamingthosefoolishdreams，Iknewwecouldneverbehappy。’’
　　``Thatistrue——oh，SOtrue，’’repliedshe。
　　``Butnow——youhavetried，andthathasmadeawomanofyou。Andyouhavefailed，andthathasmadeyoureadytobeawife——tobehappyinthequiet，privateways。’’
　　Shewassilent。
　　``Icanmakeenoughforusboth——asmuchaswewillneedorwant——asmuchasyouplease，ifyouaren’ttooextravagant。AndIcandoiteasily。It’smakinglittlesums——asmallincome——that’shardinthisridiculousworld。Let’smarry，gotoCaliforniaorEuropeforseveralmonths，thencomebackhereandlivelikehumanbeings。’’
　　Shewassilent。Blockafterblocktheywalkedalong，asifneitherhadanythingespecialinmind，anythingworththetroubleofspeech。Finallyhesaid：
　　``Well？’’
　　``Ican’tanswer——yet，’’saidshe。``Notto-day——
　　nottillI’vethought。’’
　　Sheglancedquicklyathim。Overhisimpassiveface，sobeautifullyregularand，toher，sofascinating，therepassedaquickdarkshadow，andsheknewthathewassuffering。Helaughedquietly，hisoldcareless，indifferentlaugh。
　　``Oh，yes，youcananswer，’’saidhe。``Youhaveanswered。’’
　　Shedrewinherbreathsharply。
　　``Youhaverefused。’’
　　``Whydoyousaythat，Donald？’’shepleaded。
　　``Tohesitateoveraproposalistorefuse，’’saidhewithgentleraillery。``Amanisafoolwhodoesnotunderstandandsheeroffwhenawomanasksfortime。’’
　　``YouknowthatIloveyou，’’shecried。
　　``Ialsoknowthatyoulovesomethingelsemore。
　　Butit’sfinished。Let’stalkaboutsomethingelse。’’
　　``Won’tyouletmetellyouwhyIhesitate？’’beggedshe。
　　``Itdoesn’tmatter。’’
　　``Butitdoes。Yes，Idorefuse，Donald。I’llnevermarryyouuntilIamindependent。YousaidawhileagothatwhatI’vebeenthroughhadmadeawomanofme。Notyet。I’monlybeginning。I’mstillweak——
　　stillacoward。Donald，Imustandwillbefree。’’
　　Helookedfullather，withastrangesmileinhisbrillianteyes。Saidhe，withobviousintenttochangethesubject：``Mrs。Brindley’sveryunhappythatyouhaven’tbeentoseeher。’’
　　``Whenyouaskedmetomarryyou，theonlyreasonIalmostacceptedwasbecauseIwantsomeonetosupportme。Iloveyou——yes。Butitisasonelovesbeforeonehasgivenoneselfandhaslivedthesamelifewithanother。Intheordinarysense，it’slovethatIfeel。But——doyouunderstandme，dearest？——inanothersense，it’sonlythehopeoflove，thebeliefthatlovewillcome。’’
　　Hestoppedshortandlookedather，hiseyesalivewiththestimulusofanewandstartlingidea。
　　``IfyouandIhadbeeneverythingtoeachother，andyouweresaying`Letusgoonlivingtheonelife’
　　andIwerehesitating，thenyou’dberight。AndI
　　couldn’thesitate，Donald。Ifyouweremine，nothingcouldmakemegiveyouup，butwhenit’sonlythehopeofhavingyou，thenprideandself-respecthaveachancetobeheard。’’
　　Hewasreadytomoveon。``There’ssomethinginthat，’’saidhe，lapsedintohisusualseemingofimpassiveness。``Butnotmuch。’’
　　``Ineverbeforeknewyoutofailtounderstand。’’
　　``Iunderstandperfectly。Youcare，butyoudon’tcareenoughtosuitme。Ihaven’twaitedalltheseyearsbeforegivingawomanmylove，tobecontentwithaloveseatedquietlyanddemurelybetweenprideandself-
　　respect。’’
　　``Youwouldn’tmarrymeuntilIhadfailed，’’saidsheshrewdly。``NowyouattackmeforrefusingtomarryyouuntilI’vesucceeded。’’
　　Aslightshrug。``Proposalwithdrawn，’’saidhe。
　　``Nowlet’stalkaboutyourcareer，yourplans。’’
　　``I’mbeginningtounderstandmyselfalittle，’’saidshe。``Isupposeyouthinkthatsortofpersonaltalkisverysillyandvain——andtrivial。’’
　　``Onthecontrary，’’repliedhe，``itisn’tabsolutelynecessarytounderstandoneself。Oneissweptoninthesamegeneraldirection，anyhow。Butunderstandinghelpsonetogofasterandsteadier。’’
　　``Itbegan，awayback，whenIwasagirl——thisideaofacareer。Ienviedmenanddespisedwomen，thesortofwomenIknewandmetwith。Ididn’trealizewhy，then。Butitwasbecauseamanhadachancetobesomebodyinhimselfandtodosomething，whileawomanwasjusta——amoreorlessornamentalbelongingofsomeman’s——whatyouwantmetobecomenow。’’
　　``Asfaraspossiblefrommyidea。’’
　　``Don’tyouwantmetobelongtoyou？’’
　　``AsIbelongtoyou。’’
　　``Thatsoundswell，butitisn’twhatcouldhappen。
　　Thefactis，Donald，thatIwanttobelongtoyou——
　　wanttobeownedbyyouandtolosemyselfinyou。
　　Andit’sthatI’mfighting。’’
　　Shefeltthelookhewasbendinguponher，andglowedandcoloredunderit，butdidnotdaretoturnhereyestomeetit。Saidhe：``Whyfightit？Whynotbehappy？’’
　　``Ah，butthat’sjustit，’’criedshe。``Ishouldn’tbehappy。AndIshouldmakeyoumiserable。Theideaofacareer——theideathat’srooteddeepinmeandcan’teverbegotout，Donald。itwouldtormentme。Youcouldn’tkillit，nomatterhowmuchyoulovedme。I’dyieldforthetime。Then，I’dgoback——
　　or，ifIdidn’t，I’dbewretchedandmakeyouwishyou’dneverseenme。’’
　　``Iunderstand，’’saidhe。``Idon’tbelieveit，butI
　　understand。’’
　　``YouthinkI’mdeceivingmyself，becauseyousawmewastingmylife，playingtheidlerandthefool，pretendingIwasworkingtowardacareerwhenIwasreallymakingmyselffitfornothingbuttobeStanleyBaird’smistress。’’
　　``Andyou’restilldeceivingyourself。Youwon’tseethetruth。’’
　　``Nomatter，’’saidshe。``Imustgoonandmakeacareer——somekindofacareer。’’
　　``Atwhat？’’
　　``Atgrandopera。’’
　　``How’llyougetthemoney？’’
　　``OfStanley，ifnecessary。That’swhyIaskedhisaddress。Ishan’taskformuch。He’llnotrefuse。’’
　　``Afewminutesagoyouweretalkingofself-
　　respect。’’
　　``AssomethingIhopedtoget。Itcomeswithindependence。I’llpayanypricetogetit。’’
　　``Anyprice？’’saidhe，andneverbeforehadsheseenhisself-controlindanger。
　　``Ishan’taskStanleyuntilmyotherplanshavefailed。’’
　　``Whatotherplans？’’
　　``IamgoingtoaskMrs。Bellocforthemoney。Shecouldaffordtogive——tolend——thelittleI’dwant。
　　I’mgoingtoaskherinsuchawaythatitwillbeashardaspossibleforhertorefuse。Thatisn’tladylike，but——I’vedroppedoutoftheladyclass。’’
　　``Andifsherefuses？’’
　　``ThenI’llgooneafteranothertoseveralveryrichmenIknow，andaskthemasabusinessproposition。’’
　　``Goinperson，’’advisedhewithanundisguisedsneer。
　　``I’llraisenofalsehopesinthem，’’shesaid。``Iftheychoosetodeludethemselves，I’llnotgooutofmywaytoundeceivethem——untilIhaveto。’’
　　``SoTHISisMildredGower？’’
　　``Youmadethatremarkbefore。’’
　　``Really？’’
　　``WhenStanleyshowedyouacertainphotographofme。’’
　　``Iremember。Thisisthesamewoman。’’
　　``It’sme，’’laughedshe。``Therealme。You’dnotcaretobemarriedtoher？’’
　　``No，’’saidhe。Then，afterabriefsilence：``Yet，curiously，itwasthatwomanwithwhomIfellinlove。
　　No，notexactlyinlove，forI’vebeenthinkingaboutwhatyousaidastothedifferencebetweenloveinposseandloveinesse，toputitscientifically——betweenloveasaprospectandloveasareality。’’
　　``AndIwasright，’’saidshe。``Itexplainswhymarriagesgotopiecesandaffairscometogrief。Thoseloversmistooklove’spromisetocomeforfulfillment。
　　Lovedoesn’tdie。Itsimplyfailstocome——doesn’tredeemitspromise。’’
　　``That’sthewayitmightbewithus，’’saidhe。
　　``That’sthewayitwouldbewithus，’’rejoinedshe。
　　Hedidnotanswer。Whentheyspokeagainitwasofindifferentmatters。Anhourandahalfaftertheystarted，theywereatMrs。Belloc’sagain。Sheaskedhimtohaveteaintherestaurantnextdoor。Hedeclined。Hewentupthestepswithher，said：
　　``Well，Iwishyouluck。MoldiniisthebestteacherinAmerica。’’
　　``HowdidyouknowMoldiniwastoteachme？’’
　　exclaimedshe。
　　Hesmiled，putouthishandinfarewell。``Crossleytoldme。Good-by。’’
　　``HetoldCrossley！Iwonderwhy。’’Shewassointerestedinthisnewphasethatshedidnotseehisoutstretchedhand，orthelookofbitterironythatcameintohiseyesatthisproofofthesubordinateplaceloveandhehadinherthoughts。
　　``I’mnervousandanxious，’’shesaidapologetically。
　　``Moldinitoldmehehadsomeschemeaboutgettingthemoney。Ifheonlycould！Butnosuchluckforme，’’sheaddedsadly。
　　Keithhesitated，debatedwithhimself，said：``Youneedn’tworry。Moldinigotit——fromCrossley。
　　Fiftydollarsaweekforayear。’’
　　``YougotCrossleytodoit？’’
　　``No。HehaddoneitbeforeIsawhim。HehadjustpromisedMoldiniandwascursinghimselfas`weakandsoft。’Butthatmeansnothing。YoumaybesurehediditbecauseMoldiniconvincedhimitwasagoodspeculation。’’
　　Shewasradiant。Shehadnotvanityenoughwherehewasconcernedtobelievethathedeeplycared，thatherjoywouldgivehimpainbecauseitmeantforgetfulnessofhim。Norwasshemuchimpressedbytheexpressionofhiseyes。Andevenasshehurthim，shemadehimloveherthemore。forheappreciatedhowrarewasthewomanwho，insuchcircumstances，doesnotfeedhervanitywithpityforthepoormansufferingsohorriblybecauseheisnottogetherpreciousself。
　　Itflasheduponherwhyhehadnotofferedtohelpher。``Thereisn’tanybodylikeyou，’’saidshe，withnoexplanationofherapparentirrelevancy。
　　``Don’tletMoldiniseethatyouknow，’’saidhe，withcharacteristicfinethoughtfulnessforothersinthemidstofhisownunhappiness。``Itwoulddeprivehimofagreatpleasure。’’
　　Hewasabouttogo。Suddenlyhereyesfilledand，openingtheouterdoor，shedrewhimin。``Donald，’’shesaid，``Iloveyou。Takemeinyourarmsandmakemebehave。’’
　　Helookedpasther。hisarmshungathissides。Saidhe：``Andto-nightI’dgetanotebymessengersayingthatyouhadtakenitallback。No，thegirlinthephotograph——thatwasyou。Shewasn’tmadetobeMY
　　wife。OrItobeherhusband。Iloveyoubecauseyouarewhatyouare。Ishouldnotloveyouifyouweretheordinarywoman，thesortwhomarriesandmerges。ButI’moldenoughtosparemyself——andyou——theconsequencesofwhatitwouldmeanifwewereanythingbutstrangerstoeachother。’’
　　``Yes，youmustkeepaway——altogether。Ifyoudidn’t，I’dbeneithertheonethingnortheother，butjustapoorfailure。’’
　　``You’llnotfail，’’saidhe。``Iknowit。It’swritteninyourface。’’Helookedather。Shewasnotlookingathim，butwitheyesgazingstraightaheadwasrevealingthatlatent，inexplicablepowerwhich，whenitappearedatthesurface，sostronglydominatedandsubordinatedherbeautyandhersex。Heshuthisteethtogetherhardandglancedaway。
　　``Youwillnotfail，’’herepeatedbitterly。``Andthat’stheworstofit。’’
　　Withoutanotherword，withoutahandshake，hewent。
　　Andsheknewthat，exceptbychance，hewouldneverseeheragain——orshehim。
　　Moldini，disheveledandhystericalwithdelightandsuspense，wasinthedrawing-room——hadbeentherehalfanhour。Atfirstshecouldhardlyforcehermindtolisten。butashetalkedonandon，hecapturedherattentionandheldit。
　　ThenextdayshebeganwithMoldini，andputtheLuciaRivisystemintoforceinallitsmorethanconventualrigors。Andforaboutamonthsheworkedlikeadevouringflame。Neverhadtherebeensuchenergy，suchenthusiasm。Mrs。Bellocwasalarmedforherhealth，buttheRivisystemtookcareofthat。andpresentlyMrs。Bellocwasmovedtosay，``Well，I’veoftenheardthathardworkneverharmedanyone，butIneverbelievedit。NowIknowthetruth。’’
　　ThenMildredwenttoHangingRocktospendSaturdaytoMondaywithhermother。Presbury，reducednowbyvariousinfirmities——byabsolutedeafness，bydimnessofsight，bydifficultyinwalking——towhereeatingwashissoleremainingpleasure，or，indeed，distraction，spentallhistimeinconcoctingdishesforhim-
　　self。Mildredcouldnotresist——andwhocanwhenseatedattablewiththedishbeforeone’seyesandunderone’snose。TheRiviregimenwassuspendedforthevisit。Mildred，backinNewYorkandatworkagain，foundthatshewasapparentlynonetheworseforherholiday，wasinfactbetter。Soshedriftedintothewayofsuspendingtheregimenforaneveningnowandthen——whenshedinedwithMrs。Brindley，orwhenAgnesBellochadsomethingparticularlygood。Allwentwellforatime。Then——acold。Sheneglectedit，feelingsureitcouldnotstaywithonesosoundlyhealthythroughandthrough。Butitdidstay。itgrewworse。Shedecidedthatsheoughttotakemedicineforit。True，starvationwasthecureprescribedbytheregimen，butMildredcouldnotbringherselftotwoorthreedaysofdiscomfort。Also，manypeopletoldherthatsuchacurewasfoolishandevendangerous。
　　Thecoldgotbetter，gotworse，gotbetter。Butherthroatbecamequeer，andatlasthervoicelefther。
　　ShewasashamedtogotoMoldiniinsuchacondition。
　　ShedroppedinuponHicks，thethroatspecialist。He``fixedherup’’beautifullywithafewsprayings。A
　　week——andhervoiceleftheragain，andHickscouldnotbringitback。Asshelefthisoffice，itwasraining——anicy，drearydrizzle。Shesplashedherwayhome，inaboutthelowestspiritsshehadeverknown。Shelockedherdoorandseatedherselfatthewindowandstaredout，whilethestormragedwithinher。AfteranhourortwoshewroteandsentMoldinianote：
　　``Ihavebeenmakingafoolofmyself。I’llnotcomeagainuntilIamallright。Bepatientwithme。I
　　don’tthinkthiswilloccuragain。’’Shefirstwrote``happen。’’Shescratcheditoutandput``occur’’initsplace。NotthatMoldiniwouldhavenotedtheslip。
　　simplythatshewouldnotpermitherselfthesatisfactionofthefalseandself-excusing``happen。’’Ithadnotbeena``happen。’’Ithadbeenadeliberatefolly，alapsetotheMildredshehadburiedthedayshesentDonaldKeithaway。Whenthenotewasonitsway，shethrewoutallhermedicines，andbrokethenewsprayingapparatusHickshadinstructedhertobuy。
　　ShewentbacktotheRiviregime。Aweekpassed，andshewaslittlebetter。Twoweeks，andshebegantomend。Butitwassixweeksbeforethelasttracesofherfollydisappeared。Moldinisaidnotaword，gavenosign。Oncemoreherlifewentoninuneventful，unbrokenroutine——diet，exercise，singing——singing，exercise，diet——nodistractionsexceptanoccasionalvisittotheoperawithMoldini，andshewashatingoperanow。Allherenthusiasmwasgone。Shesimplyworkeddoggedly，drudged，slaved。
　　Whenthedaysbegantogrowwarm，Mrs。Bellocsaid：
　　``Isupposeyou’llsoonbeofftothecountry？AreyougoingtovisitMrs。Brindley？’’
　　``No，’’saidMildred。
　　``Thencomewithme。’’
　　``Thankyou，butIcan’tdoit。’’
　　``Butyou’vegottorestsomewhere。’’
　　``Rest？’’saidMildred。``WhyshouldIrest？’’
　　Mrs。Bellocstartedtoprotest，thenabruptlychanged。``Cometothinkofit，whyshouldyou？
　　You’reinperfecthealth，andit’llbetimeenoughtorestwhenyou`getthere。’’’
　　``I’mtiredthroughandthrough，’’saidMildred，``butitisn’tthekindoftiredthatcouldberestedexceptbythrowingupthisfrightfulnightmareofacareer。’’
　　``Andyoucan’tdothat。’’
　　``Iwon’t，’’saidMildred，herlipscompressedandhereyesnarrowed。
　　SheandMoldini——andfat，funnylittleMrs。Moldini——wenttothemountains。Andsheworkedon。Shewouldlistentononeofthesuggestionsaboutthedangersofkeepingtoosteadilyatit，aboutworkingoneselfintoastateofstaleness，abouttheimperativedemandsoftheartistictemperamentforrest，change，variety。``Itmaybeso，’’shesaidtoMrs。Brindley。
　　``ButI’vegonemad。Icannomoredropthisroutinethan——thanyoucouldtakeitupandkeeptoitforaweek。’’
　　``I’lladmitIcouldn’t，’’saidCyrilla。``AndMildred，you’remakingamistake。’’
　　``ThenI’llhavetosufferforit。Imustdowhatseemsbesttome。’’
　　``ButI’msureyou’rewrong。Ineverknewanyonetoactasyou’reacting。Everyonerestsandfreshensup。’’
　　Mildredlostpatience，almostlosthertemper。
　　``You’retryingtotemptmetoruinmyself，’’shesaid。
　　``Pleasestopit。YousayyouneverknewanyonetodoasI’mdoing。Verywell。Buthowmanygirlshaveyouknownwhohavesucceeded？’’
　　Cyrillahesitatinglyconfessedthatshehadknownnone。
　　``Yetyou’veknownscoreswho’vetried。’’
　　``Buttheydidn’tfailbecausetheydidn’tworkenough。
　　Manyofthemworkedtoomuch。’’
　　Mildredlaughed。``Howdoyouknowwhytheyfailed？’’saidshe。``Youhaven’tthoughtaboutitasIhave。Youhaven’tLIVEDit。Cyrilla，Iservedmyapprenticeshipatlisteningtononsenseaboutcareers。
　　Iwanttohavenothingtodowithinspiration，andartistictemperament，andspontaneousgenius，andalltherestofthelies。MoldiniandIknowwhatweareabout。SoI’mlivingasthosewhohavesucceededlivedandnotasthosewhohavefailed。’’
　　Cyrillawassilenced，butnotconvinced。TheamazingimprovementinMildred’shealth，thesplendidslimstrengthandsupplenessofherbody，thenewandstablegloriesofhervoice——allthesesheknewabout，buttheydidnotconvinceher。Shebelievedinwork，inhardwork，buttoherworkmeantthemusicitself。ShefeltthattheRivisystemandthedirty，obscurelittleMoldinibetweenthemweredestroyingMildredbydestroyingall``temperament’’inher。
　　Itwastheold，oldcriticismoftalentupongenius。
　　Geniushasalwayswoninitsowntimeandgenerationalltheworldexcepttalent。Totalentcontemporaneousgenius，geniusseenatitspatient，ploddingtoil，seemscoarseandobviousandlackingaltogetherininspiration。Talentcannotcomprehendthatcreationisnecessarilyintravailandinallmannerofunloveliness。
　　Mildredtoiledonlikeaslaveunderthelash，andMoldiniandtheRivisystemwerehertwinrelentlessdrivers。Shelearnedtoruleherselfwithanironhand。
　　Shediscoveredthefullmeasureofherowndeficiencies，andshedeterminedtomakeherselfacompetentlyricsoprano，perhapssomethingofadramaticsoprano。
　　Shedismissedfromhermindallthe``high’’thoughts，allthedreamswherewiththelittlepeople，eventhelittlepeoplewhoachieveacertainsuccess，beguilethetediumoftheirjourneyalongthehardroad。Shewasnotworkingto``interpretthethoughtofthegreatmaster’’orto``advancethesingingartyethigher’’oreventowinfameandapplause。Shehadoneobject——toearnherlivingonthegrandoperastage，andtoearnitasaprimadonnabecausethatmeantthebestliving。ShefranklytoldCyrillathatthiswasherobject，whenCyrillaforcedheronedaytotalkaboutheraims。Cyrillalookedpained，brokeamelancholysilencetosay：
　　``Iknowyoudon’tmeanthat。Youaretoointelligent。Yousingtoowell。’’
　　``Yes，Imeanjustthat，’’saidMildred。``Aliving。’’
　　``Atanyrate，don’tsayit。Yougivesuchafalseimpression。’’
　　``Towhom？NottoCrossley，andnottoMoldini，andwhyshouldIcarewhatanyothersthink？Theyarenotpayingmyexpenses。Andregardlessofwhattheythinknow，they’llbeatmyfeetifIsucceed，andthey’llputmeundertheirsifIdon’t。’’
　　``Howhardyouhavegrown，’’criedCyrilla。
　　``Howsensible，youmean。I’vemerelystoppedbeingaself-deceiverandasentimentalist。’’
　　``Believeme，mydear，youaresacrificingyourcharactertoyourambition。’’
　　``Ineverhadanyrealcharacteruntilambitioncame，’’
　　repliedMildred。``Thesoft，vacillating，sweetandweakthingIusedtohavewasn’tcharacter。’’
　　``But，dear，youcan’tthinkitsuperiorcharactertocenterone’swholelifeaboutasordidambition。’’
　　``Sordid？’’
　　``Merelytomakealiving。’’
　　Mildredlaughedmerrilyandmockingly。``Youcallthatsordid？Thenforheaven’ssakewhatishigh？
　　Youhadleftyoumoneyenoughtoliveon，ifyouhaveto。Nooneleftmeanincome。So，I’mfightingforindependence——andthatmeansforself-respect。Isself-respectsordid，Cyrilla！’’
　　AndthenCyrillaunderstood——inpart，notaltogether。
　　Shelivedintheordinaryenvironmentofflap-
　　doodleandsweethypocrisyandsentimentality。andnonesuchcanmorethanvaguelyglimpsetherealities。
　　TowardtheendofthesummerMoldinisaid：
　　``It’sover。Youhavewon。’’
　　Mildredlookedathiminpuzzledsurprise。
　　``Youhavelearneditall。Youwillsucceed。Therestisdetail。’’
　　``ButI’velearnednothingasyet，’’protestedshe。
　　``Youhavelearnedtoteachyourself，’’repliedtheItalian。``Youatlastcanhearyourselfsing，andyouknowwhenyousingrightandwhenyousingwrong，andyouknowhowtosingright。Therestiseasy。
　　Ah，mydearMissGower，youwillworkNOW！’’
　　Mildreddidnotunderstand。Shewasevendauntedbythat``YouwillworkNOW！’’Shehadbeenthinkingthattoworkharderwasimpossible。Whatdidheexpectofher？Somethingshefearedshecouldnotrealize。
　　Butsoonsheunderstood——whenhegavehersongs，thenbegantoteachherarole，thepartofMadameButterflyherself。``Icanhelpyouonlyalittlethere，’’
　　hesaid。``YouwillhavetogotomyfriendFerreriforroles。Butwecanmakeabeginning。’’
　　Shehadindeedwon。Shehadpassedfromthestagewhereacareerisalldrudgery——thestagethroughwhichonlythestrongcanpasswithoutgivingupandacceptingfailureorsmallsuccess。Shehadpassedtothestagewherethereisaddedpleasuretothedrudgery，for，thedrudgeryneverceases。Andwhatwasthepleasure？Why，morework——alwayswork——bringingintousenotmerelytheroutinepartsofthemind，butalsotheimaginativeandcreativefaculties。Shehadlearnedhertrade——notwellenough，fornosuperiormanorwomaneverfeelsthatheorsheknowsthetradewellenough——butwellenoughtobegintouseit。
　　SaidMoldini：``Whenthegreatone，whohasachievedandarrived，isaskedforadvicebythesweet，enthusiasticyoungbeginner，whatistheanswer？
　　Alwaysthesame：`Mydearchild，don’t！Gobackhome，andmarryandhavebabies。’Youknowwhynow？’’
　　AndMildred，lookingbackoverthedrearydrudgerythathadbeen，andlookingforwardtothedrudgeryyettocome，drearyenoughforalltheprospectsofafewflowersandalittlesun——Mildredsaid：``IndeedIdo，maestro。’’
　　``TheythinkitmeanswhatyouAmericanscallmorals——asifthatwereallofmorality！Butitdoesn’tmeanmorals。notatall。Sexandthegameofsexisallthroughlifeeverywhere——inthehomenolessthaninthetheater。Intownandcountry，indoorsandout，sunlight，moonlight，andrain——alwaysitgoeson。
　　Andthetemptationsandthestrugglesarenomoreandnolessonthestagethanoff。No，thereistoomuchtalkabout`morals。’Thereasonthegreatonesays`don’t’isthework。’’Heshookhisheadsadly。
　　``Theydonotrealize，thoseeageryoungbeginners。
　　Theyreadthestory-booksandthelivesofthegreatsuccessesandtheyhearthefoolishchatterofcommon-
　　placepeople——thoseimbecile`cultured’peoplewhoknownothing！Andtheythinkacareerisatriumphalmarch。Whatthinkyou，MissGower——eh？’’
　　``IfIhadknownI’dnothavehadthecourage，orthevanity，tobegin，’’saidshe。``AndifIcouldrealizewhat’sbeforeme，Iprobablyshouldn’thavethecouragetogoon。’’
　　``Butwhynot？Haven’tyoualsolearnedthatit’sjusttheday’swork，doingeverydaythebestyoucan？’’
　　``Oh，Ishallgoon，’’rejoinedshe。
　　``Yes，’’saidhe，lookingatherwithawedadmiration。
　　``Itisinyourface。Isawitthere，thedayyoucame——afteryousangthe`BattiBatti’thefirsttimeandfailed。’’
　　``Therewasnothingtomethen。’’
　　``Theseed，’’repliedhe。``AndIsawitwasanacorn，nottheseedofoneofthoseweakplantsthatspringupovernightandwitheratnoon。Yes，youwillwin。’’
　　Helaughedgayly，rolledhiseyesandkissedhisfingers。
　　``Andthenyoucanaffordtotakealittleholiday，andfallinlove。Love！Ah，itisajoyouspastime——
　　foraholiday。Onlyforaholiday，mindyou。IshallbethereandIshallseizeyouandtakeyoubacktoyourart。’’
　　InthefollowingwinterandsummerCrossleydisclosedwhyhehadbeensufficientlyinterestedingrandoperatobegintobackundevelopedvoices。Crossleywasoneofthosemenwhoareneversopracticalaswhentheyprofesstobe，andfancythemselves，impractical。
　　Hebecameagrand-operamanagerandorganizedforaseasonthatwouldsurpassininterestanyNewYorkhadknown。ThusitcameaboutthatonaMarchnightMildredmadeherdebut。
　　Theoperawas``Faust。’’Asthethreeprincipalmensingerswereallexpensive——thetenoralone，twelvehundredanight——CrossleyputinacomparativelymodestlysalariedMarguerite。Shewasseizedwithacoldatthelastmoment，andCrossleyventuredtosubstituteMildredGower。TheRivisystemwasstillinforce。Shewasready——indeed，shewasalwaysready，asRiviherselfhadbeen。Andwithintenminutesofhercomingforthfromthewings，MildredGowerhadleapedfromobscurityintofame。Ithappensso，ofteninthestorybooks，thenewlygloriouslyarrivedonehavingbeenwhollyunprepared，achievingbysheerforceofgenius。Itoccursso，occasionally，inlife——neverwhenthereislackofpreparation，neverbyforceofunassistedgenius，neverbyaccident。Mildredsucceededbecauseshehadgotreadytosucceed。Howcouldshehavefailed？
　　Perhapsyoureadthestoriesinthenewspapers——
　　howshehaddiscoveredherselfpossessedofamarvelousvoice，howshehaddecidedtouseitinpublic，howshehadcoachedforapart，hadappeared，hadbecomeoneoftheworld’sfewhundredgreatsingersallinasingleactofanopera。Youreadnothingaboutwhatshewentthroughindevelopingahopelesslyuncertainandfarfromstrongvoiceintoonewhich，whilenotnearlysogoodasthousandsofvoicesthataretriedandcastaside，yetsufficed，withherwillandherconcentrationbackofit，tocarryhertofame——andwealth。
　　Thatbirdlikevoice！Sosweetandspontaneous，sotrue，solikethebirdthat``singsofsummerinfullthroatedease！’’Nowondertheaudiencewelcomeditwithcheersoncheers。Greatervoicestheyhadheard，butnonemorenatural——andthatwasMoldini。
　　Hecametoherdressing-roomattheintermission。
　　Hestretchedouthisarms，butemotionovercamehim，andhedroppedtoachairandsobbedandcriedandlaughed。Shecameandputherarmsroundhimandkissedhim。Shewasalmostcalm。TheGREATfearhadseizedher——CanIkeepwhatIhavewon？
　　``Iamafool，’’criedMoldini。``Iwillagitateyou。’’
　　``Don’tbeafraidofthat，’’saidshe。``Iamnerv-
　　ous，yes，horriblynervous。ButyouhavetaughtmesothatIcouldsing，nomatterwhatwashappening。’’
　　Itwastrue。Andherbodywaslikeirontothetouch。
　　Helookedather，andthoughheknewherandhadseenhertrainherselfandhadhelpedinit，hemarveled。
　　``Youarehappy？’’hesaideagerly。``Surely——yes，youMUSTbehappy。’’
　　``Morethanthat，’’answeredshe。``You’llhavetofindanotherwordthanhappiness——somethingbiggerandstrongeranddeeper。’’
　　``Nowyoucanhaveyourholiday，’’laughedhe。
　　``But’’——withmocksternness——``inmoderation！Hemustbeanincidentonly。Withthosewhowinthehighplaces，sexisanincident——acharming，necessaryincident，butonlyanincident。Hemustnotspoilyourcareer。Ifyouallowedthatyouwouldbelikeamotherwhodesertsherchildrenforalover。Hemustnottouchyourcareer！’’
　　Mildred，givingthelasttouchestohercostumebeforetheglass，glancedmerrilyatMoldinibywayofit。
　　``Ifhedidtouchit，’’saidshe，``howlongdoyouthinkhewouldlastwithme？’’
　　Moldinipausedhalf-wayinhisnodofapproval，wasstrickenwithsilenceandsadness。Itwouldhavebeennaturalandproperforamanthustoputsexbeneaththecareer。Itwasnecessaryforanyonewhodevelopedthestrongcharacterthatcompelssuccessandholdsit。But——TheItaliancouldnotgetawayfromtradition。womanwasmadeforthepleasureofoneman，notforherselfandtheworld。
　　``Youdon’tlikethat，maestro？’’saidshe，stillobservinghimintheglass。
　　``Nomanwould，’’saidhe，withreturningcheerfulness。``Ithurtsman’svanity。Andnowomanwould，either。yourebuketheirlazinessandtheirdependence！’’
　　Shelaughedandrushedawaytofreshtriumphs。
　　End