"Never，never，dearlady。WhyshouldIcomeback？YoucanneverbeagainwhatyouHAVEbeen。Ishallhaveseenthelastofyou。"
　　"Oh！"shetouchinglyurged。
　　"Yes，forIshouldnextfindyousimplybroughttoself-
　　consciousness。You’llbeexactlywhatyouare，Icharitablyadmit——
　　nothingmoreorless，nothingdifferent。Butyou’llbeitallinadifferentway。Weliveinanageofprodigiousmachinery，allorganisedtoasingleend。Thatendispublicity——apublicityasferociousastheappetiteofacannibal。Thethingthereforeisnottohaveanyillusions——fondlytoflatteryourselfinamuddledmomentthatthecannibalwillspareyou。Hesparesnobody。Hesparesnothing。Itwillbeallright。You’llhavealovelytime。
　　You’llbeonlyjustapubliccharacter——blownabouttheworld’forallyou’reworth，’andproclaimed’forallyou’reworth’onthehouse-tops。ItwillbeforTHAT，mind，Iquiterecognise——becauseAddieissuperior——aswellasforallyouaren’t。Sogood-bye。"
　　Heremainedhowevertillthenextday，andnotedatintervalsthedifferentstagesoftheirfriend’sjourney;thehour，thistime，shewouldreallyhavestarted，thehourshe’dreachDover，thehourshe’dgettotown，whereshe’dalightatMrs。Dunn’s。Perhapsshe’dbringMrs。Dunn，forMrs。Dunnwouldswellthechorus。Atthelast，onthemorrow，asifinanticipationofthisstillnesssettledbetweenthem：hebecameassilentashishostess。Butbeforehewentshebroughtoutshylyandanxiously，asanappeal，thequestionthatforhourshadclearlybeengivingherthought。
　　"Doyoumeetherthento-nightinLondon？"
　　"Dearno。InwhatpositionamI，alas！todothat？WhencanI
　　EVERmeetheragain？"Hehadturneditallover。"IfIcouldmeetAddieafterthis，youknow，IcouldmeetYOU。AndifIdomeetAddie，"helucidlypursued，"whatwillhappenbythesamestrokeisthatISHALLmeetyou。Andthat’sjustwhatI’veexplainedtoyouIdread。"
　　"YoumeansheandIwillbeinseparable？"
　　Hehesitated。"Imeanshe’lltellmeallaboutyou。Icanhearherandherravingsnow。"
　　Shegaveagain——anditwasinfinitelysad——herlittlewhinnyinglaugh。"Ohbutifwhatyousayistrueyou’llknow。"
　　"AhbutAddiewon’t！Won’t，Imean，knowthat_I_know——oratleastwon’tbelieveit。Won’tbelievethatanyoneknows。Such，"
　　headdedwithastrangesmotheredsigh，"isAddie。Doyouknow，"
　　hewoundup，"thatwhat，afterall，hasmostdefinitelyhappenedisthatyou’vemademeseeherasI’veneverdonebefore？"
　　Sheblinkedandgasped，shewonderedanddespaired。"Ohno，itwillbeYOU。I’vehadnothingtodowithit。Everything’sallyou！"
　　Butforallitmatterednow！"You’llsee，"hesaid，"thatshe’scharming。Ishallgoforto-nighttoOxford。Ishallalmostcrossherontheway。"
　　"Thenifshe’scharmingwhatamItotellherfromyouinexplanationofsuchstrangebehaviourasyourflyingawayjustasshearrives？"
　　"Ahyouneedn’tmindaboutthat——youneedn’ttellheranything。"
　　Shefixedhimasifasneveragain。"It’snoneofmybusiness，ofcourseIfeel;butisn’titalittlecruelifyou’reengaged？"
　　Grangergavealaughalmostasoddasoneofherown。"Ohyou’vecostmethat！"——andheputouthishandtoher。
　　Shewonderedwhileshetookit。"Costyou——？"
　　"We’renotengaged。Good-bye。"
　　MRS。MEDWIN
　　CHAPTERI
　　"Well，weAREapair！"thepoorlady’svisitorbrokeouttoherattheendofherexplanationinamannerdisconcertingenough。ThepoorladywasMissCutter，wholivedinSouthAudleyStreet，whereshehadan"upperhalf"soconcisethatithadtopassboldlyforconvenient;andhervisitorwasherhalf-brother，whomshehadn’tseenforthreeyears。Shewasremarkableforamaturityofwhicheverysymptommighthavebeenobservedtobeadmirablycontrolled，hadnotatendencytostoutnessjustaffirmeditsindependence。
　　Herpresent，nodoubt，insistedtoomuchonherpast，butwiththeexcuse，sufficientlyvalid，thatshemustcertainlyoncehavebeenprettier。Shewasclearlynotcontentedwithonce——shewishedtobeprettieragain。Sheneglectednothingthatcouldproducethatillusion，and，beingbothfairandfat，dressedalmostwhollyinblack。Whensheaddedalittlecolouritwasnot，atanyrate，toherdrapery。Hersmallroomshadthepeculiaritythateverythingtheycontainedappearedtotestifywithvividnesstoherpositioninsociety，quiteasiftheyhadbeenfurnishedbythebountyofadmiringfriends。Theywereadornedindeedalmostexclusivelywithobjectsthatnobodybuys，ashadmorethanoncebeenremarkedbyspectatorsofherownsex，forherself，andwouldhavebeenluxuriousifluxuryconsistedmainlyinphotographicportraitsslashedacrosswithsignatures，inbasketsofflowersberibbonedwiththecardsofpassingcompatriots，andinaneatcollectionofredvolumes，bluevolumes，alphabeticalvolumes，aidstoLondonlucidity，ofeverysort，devotedtoaddressesandengagements。TobeinMissCutter’stinydrawing-room，inshort，evenwithMissCutteralone——shouldyoubyanychancehavefoundherso——wassomehowtobeintheworldandinacrowd。Itwaslikeanagency——
　　itbristledwithparticulars。
　　Thiswaswhatthetallleanloosegentlemanloungingtherebeforehermighthaveappearedtoreadinthesuggestivesceneoverwhich，whileshetalkedtohim，hiseyesmovedwithouthasteandwithoutrest。"Ohcome，Mamie！"heoccasionallythrewoff;andthewordswereevidentlyconnectedwiththeimpressionthusabsorbed。Hiscomparativeyouthspokeofwasteevenasherpositive——hertoopositive——spokeofeconomy。Therewasonlyonething，thatis，tomakeupinhimforeverythinghehadlost，thoughitwasdistinctenoughindeedthatthisthingmightsometimesserve。Itconsistedintheperfectionofanindifference，anindifferenceatthepresentmomentdirectedtotheplea——apleaofinability，ofpuredestitution——withwhichhissisterhadmethim。Yetithadevennowawiderembrace，tookinquitesufficientlyallconsequencesofqueerness，confessedinadvancetothefalsenotethat，insuchasetting，healmostexcruciatinglyconstituted。Hecaredaslittlethathelookedatmomentsallhisimpudenceasthathelookedallhisshabbiness，allhiscleverness，allhishistory。Thesedifferentthingswerewritteninhim——inhisprematurebaldness，hisseamedstrainedface，thelapsefrombraveryofhislongtawnymoustache;aboveallinhiseasyfriendlyuniversallyacquaintedeye，somuchtoosociableformereconversation。Whatpossiblerelationwithhimcouldbenaturalenoughtomeetit？HeworeascantroughInvernesscapeandapairofblacktrousers，wantinginsubstanceandmarkedwiththesheenoftime，thathadpresumablyonceservedforeveninguse。HespokewiththeslownesshelplesslypermittedtoAmericans——assomethingtooslowtobestopped——andherepeatedthathefoundhimselfassociatedwithMissCutterinaharmonycallingforwonder。Shehadbeentellinghimnotonlythatshecouldn’tpossiblygivehimtenpounds，butthathisunexpectedarrival，shouldheinsistonbeingmuchinview，mightseriouslyinterferewitharrangementsnecessarytoherownmaintenance;onwhichhehadbegunbyreplyingthatheofcourseknewshehadlongagospenthermoney，butthathelookedtohernowexactlybecauseshehad，withouttheaidofthatconvenience，masteredtheartoflife。
　　"I’dreallygoawaywithafiver，mydear，ifyou’donlytellmehowyoudoit。It’snousesayingonly，asyou’vealwayssaid，that’peopleareverykindtoyou。’WhatthedevilaretheykindtoyouFOR？"
　　"Well，onereasonispreciselythatnoparticularinconveniencehashithertobeensupposedtoattachtome。I’mjustwhatIam，"saidMamieCutter;"nothinglessandnothingmore。It’sawkwardtohavetoexplaintoyou，whichmoreoverIreallyneedn’tintheleast。
　　I’mcleverandamusingandcharming。"Shewasuneasyandevenfrightened，butshekepthertemperandmethimwithagraceofherown。"Idon’tthinkyououghttoaskmemorequestionsthanIaskyou。"
　　"Ahmydear，"saidtheoddyoungman，"I’VEnomysteries。Whyintheworld，sinceitwaswhatyoucameoutforandhavedevotedsomuchofyourtimeto，haven’tyoupulleditoff？Whyhaven’tyoumarried？"
　　"Whyhaven’tYOU？"sheretorted。"DoyouthinkthatifIhaditwouldhavebeenbetterforyou？——thatmyhusbandwouldforamomenthaveputupwithyou？Doyoumindmyaskingyouifyou’llkindlygoNOW？"shewentonafteraglanceattheclock。"I’mexpectingafriend，whomImustseealone，onamatterofgreatimportance——"
　　"Andmybeingseenwithyoumaycompromiseyourrespectabilityorundermineyournerve？"Hesprawledimperturbablyinhisplace，crossingagain，inanothersense，hislongblacklegsandshowing，abovehislowshoes，anabsurdreachofparti-colouredsock。"I
　　takeyourpointwellenough，butmayn’tyoubeafterallquitewrong？Ifyoucan’tdoanythingformecouldn’tyouatleastdosomethingwithme？Ifitcomestothat，I’mcleverandamusingandcharmingtoo！I’vebeensuchanassthatyoudon’tappreciateme。
　　Butpeoplelikeme——Iassureyoutheydo。Theyusuallydon’tknowwhatanassI’vebeen;theyonlyseethesurface，which"——andhestretchedhimselfafreshasshelookedhimupanddown——"youCAN
　　imaginethem，can’tyou，rathertakenwith？I’M’whatIam’too;
　　nothinglessandnothingmore。That’strueofusasafamily，yousee。WeAREacrew！"Hedeliveredhimselfserenely。Hisvoicewassoftandflat，hispleasanteyes，hissimpletonestendingtothesolemn，achievedatmomentsthateffectofquaintnesswhichis，incertainconnexions，sociallysoknownandenjoyed。"Englishpeoplehavequiteaweaknessforme——morethananyothers。Igetonwiththembeautifully。I’vealwaysbeenwiththemabroad。Theythinkme，"theyoungmanexplained，"diabolicallyAmerican。"
　　"You！"Suchstupiditydrewfromherasighofcompassion。
　　Hercompanionapparentlyquiteunderstoodit。"Areyouhomesick，Mamie？"heasked，withwonderingirrelevance。
　　Themannerofthequestionmadeher，forsomereason，inspiteofherpreoccupations，breakintoalaugh。Ashadeofindulgence，asenseofotherthings，camebacktoher。"Youarefunny，Scott！"
　　"Well，"remarkedScott，"that’sjustwhatIclaim。ButAREyousohomesick？"hespaciouslyinquired，notastoapracticalend，butfromaneasyplayofintelligence。
　　"I’mjustdyingofit！"saidMamieCutter。
　　"WhysoamI！"Hervisitorhadasweetnessofconcurrence。
　　"We’retheonlydecentpeople，"MissCutterdeclared。"AndIknow。
　　Youdon’t——youcan’t;andIcan’texplain。Comein，"shecontinuedwithareturnofherimpatienceandanincreaseofherdecision，"atsevensharp。"
　　Shehadquittedherseatsometimebefore，andnow，togethimintomotion，hoveredbeforehimwhile，stillmotionless，helookedupather。Somethingintimate，inthesilence，appearedtopassbetweenthem——acommunityoffatigueandfailureand，afterall，ofintelligence。Therewasafinalcynicalhumourinit。Itdeterminedhim，inanycase，atlast，andheslowlyrose，takinginagainashestoodtherethetestimonyoftheroom。Hemighthavebeencountingthephotographs，buthelookedattheflowerswithdetachment。"Who’scoming？"
　　"Mrs。Medwin。"
　　"American？"
　　"Dearno！"
　　"Thenwhatareyoudoingforher？"
　　"Iworkforeveryone，"shepromptlyreturned。
　　"Foreveryonewhopays？SoIsuppose。Yetisn’titonlywewhodopay？"
　　Therewasadrollery，notlostonher，inthewayhisqueerpresencelentitselftohisemphasisedplural。
　　"DoyouconsiderthatYOUdo？"
　　"Atthis，withhisdeliberation，hecamebacktohischarmingidea。
　　"Onlytryme，andseeifIcan’tbeMADEto。Workmein。"Onhersharplypresentingherbackhestaredalittleattheclock。"IfI
　　comeatsevenmayIstaytodinner？"
　　Itbroughtherroundagain。"Impossible。I’mdiningout。"
　　"Withwhom？"
　　Shehadtothink。"WithLordConsidine。"
　　"Ohmyeye！"Scottexclaimed。
　　Shelookedathimgloomily。"IsTHATsortoftonewhatmakesyoupay？Ithinkyoumightunderstand，"shewenton，"thatifyou’retospongeonmesuccessfullyyoumustn’truinme。ImusthaveSOME
　　remoteresemblancetoalady。"
　　"Yes？Butwhymust_I_？"Herexasperatedsilencewasfullofanswers，ofwhichhoweverhisinimitablemannertooknoaccount。
　　"Youdon’tunderstandmyrealstrength;Idoubtifyouevenunderstandyourown。You’reclever，Mamie，butyou’renotsocleverasIsupposed。However，"hepursued，"it’soutofMrs。
　　Medwinthatyou’llgetit。"
　　"Getwhat？"
　　"Whythechequethatwillenableyoutoassistme。"
　　Onthis，foramoment，shemethiseyes。"Ifyou’llcomebackatsevensharp——notaminutebefore，andnotaminuteafter，I’llgiveyoutwofive-poundnotes。"
　　Hethoughtitover。"Whomareyouexpectingaminuteafter？"
　　Itsenthertothewindowwithagroanalmostofanguish，andsheanswerednothingtillshehadlookedatthestreet。"Ifyouinjureme，youknow，Scott，you’llbesorry。"
　　"Iwouldn’tinjureyoufortheworld。WhatIwanttodoinfactisreallytohelpyou，andIpromiseyouthatIwon’tleaveyou——bywhichImeanwon’tleaveLondon——tillI’veeffectedsomethingreallypleasantforyou。Ilikeyou，Mamie，becauseIlikepluck;
　　Ilikeyoumuchmorethanyoulikeme。Ilikeyouvery，VERY
　　much。"Hehadatlastwiththisreachedthedoorandopenedit，butheremainedwithhishandonthelatch。"WhatdoesMrs。Medwinwantofyou？"hethusbroughtout。
　　Shehadcomeroundtoseehimdisappear，andinthereliefofthisprospectsheagainjustindulgedhim。
　　"Theimpossible。"
　　Hewaitedanotherminute。"Andyou’regoingtodoit？"
　　"I’mgoingtodoit，"saidMamieCutter。
　　"Wellthenthatoughttobeahaul。CallitTHREEfivers！"helaughed。"Atsevensharp。"Andatlastheleftheralone。
　　CHAPTERII
　　MissCutterwaitedtillsheheardthehouse-doorclose;afterwhich，inasightlessmechanicalway，shemovedabouttheroomreadjustingvariousobjectshehadnottouched。Itwasasifhismerevoiceandaccenthadspoiledherform。Butshewasnotlefttoolongtoreckonwiththesethings，forMrs。Medwinwaspromptlyannounced。Thisladywasnot，morethanherhostess，inthefirstflushofheryouth;herappearance——thescatteredremainsofbeautymanipulatedbytaste——resembledoneofthelightrepastsinwhichthefragmentsofyesterday’sdinnerfigurewithaconsciouseasethatmakesupforthewantofpresence。Shewasperhapsofaneffectstilltooimmediatetobecalledinteresting，butshewascandid，gentleandsurprised——notfatiguinglysurprised，onlyjustintherightdegree;andherwhiteface——itwastoowhite——withthefixedeyes，thesomewhattouzledhairandtheLouisSeizehat，mightattheendoftheverylongneckhavesuggestedtheheadofaprincesscarriedonapikeinarevolution。Sheimmediatelytookupthebusinessthathadbroughther，withtheairhoweverofdrawingfromtheomensthendiscerniblelessconfidencethanshehadhoped。ThecomplicationlayinthefactthatifitwasMamie’sparttopresenttheomens，thatladyyethadsotocolourthemastomakeherownservicelarge。Sheperhapsover-coloured;forherfriendgavewaytomomentarydespair。
　　"Whatyoumeanisthenthatit’ssimplyimpossible？"
　　"Ohno，"saidMamiewithaqualifiedemphasis。"It’sPOSSIBLE。"
　　"Butdisgustinglydifficult？"
　　"Asdifficultasyoulike。"
　　"ThenwhatcanIdothatIhaven’tdone？"
　　"Youcanonlywaitalittlelonger。"
　　"Butthat’sjustwhatIHAVEdone。I’vedonenothingelse。I’malwayswaitingalittlelonger！"
　　MissCutterretained，inspiteofthispathos，hergraspofthesubject。"THEthing，asI’vetoldyou，isforyoufirsttobeseen。"
　　"Butifpeoplewon’tlookatme？"
　　"Theywill。"
　　"TheyWILL？"Mrs。Medwinwaseager。
　　"Theyshall，"herhostesswenton。"It’stheironlyhavingheard——
　　withouthavingseen。"’
　　"Butiftheystarestraighttheotherway？"Mrs。Medwincontinuedtoobject。"Youcan’tsimplygouptothemandtwisttheirheadsabout。"
　　"It’sjustwhatIcan，"saidMamieCutter。
　　Buthercharmingvisitor，heedlessforthemomentofthisattenuation，hadfoundthewaytoputit。"It’stheoldstory。
　　Youcan’tgointothewatertillyouswim，andyoucan’tswimtillyougointothewater。Ican’tbespokentotillI’mseen，butI
　　can’tbeseentillI’mspokento。"
　　Shemetthislucidity，MissCutter，withbutaninstant’slapse。
　　"YousayIcan’ttwisttheirheadsabout。ButIHAVEtwistedthem。"
　　Ithadbeenquietlyproduced，butitgavehercompanionajerk。
　　"Theysay’Yes’？"
　　Shesummeditup。"Allbutone。SHEsays’No。’"
　　Mrs。Medwinthought;thenjumped。"LadyWantridge？"
　　MissCutter，asmoredelicate，onlybowedadmission。"Ishallseehereitherthisafternoonorlateto-morrow。Butshehaswritten。"
　　Hervisitorwonderedagain。"MayIseeherletter？"
　　"No。"Shespokewithdecision。"ButIshallsquareher。"
　　"Thenhow？"
　　"Well"——andMissCutter，asiflookingupwardforinspiration，fixedhereyesawhileontheceiling——"well，itwillcometome。"
　　Mrs。Medwinwatchedher——itwasimpressive。"Andwilltheycometoyou——theothers？"Thisquestiondrewoutthefactthattheywould——
　　sofaratleastastheyconsistedofLadyEdward，LadyBellhouseandMrs。Pouncer，whohadengagedtomuster，atthesignaloftea，onthe14th——prepared，asitwere，fortheworst。TherewasofcoursealwaysthechancethatLadyWantridgemighttakethefield，insuchforceastoparalysethem，thoughthatdanger，atthesametime，seemedinconsistentwithherbeingsquared。Itdidn’tperhapsallquiteideallyhangtogether;butwhatitsufficientlycametowasthatifshewastheonewhocoulddomostFORapersoninMrs。Medwin’spositionshewasalsotheonewhocoulddomostagainst。Itwouldthereforebedistinctlywhatourfriendfamiliarlyspokeofas"collar-work。"TheeffectofthesemixedconsiderationswasatanyratethatMamieeventuallyacquiescedintheidea，handsomelythrownoutbyherclient，thatsheshouldhavean"advance"togoonwith。MissCutterconfessedthatitseemedattimesasifonescarceCOULDgoon;buttheadvancewas，inspiteofthisdelicacy，stillmoredelicatelymade——madeintheformofabanknote，severalsovereigns，someloosesilver，andtwocoppers，thewholecontentsofherpurse，neatlydisposedbyMrs。
　　Medwinononeofthetinytables。Itseemedtocleartheairfordeeperintimacies，thefruitofwhichwasthatMamie，lonelyafterallinhercrowdandalwaysmorehelpfulthanhelped，eventuallybroughtoutthatthewayScotthadbeengoingonwaswhatseemedmomentarilytoovershadowherownpowertodoso。
　　"I’vehadadescentfromhim。"Butshehadtoexplain。"Myhalf-
　　brother——ScottHomer。Awretch。"
　　"Whatkindofawretch？"
　　"Everykind。Ilosesightofhimattimes——hedisappearsabroad。
　　Buthealwaysturnsupagain，worsethanever。"
　　"Violent？"
　　"No。"
　　"Maudlin？"
　　"No。"
　　"Onlyunpleasant？"
　　"No。Ratherpleasant。Awfullyclever——awfullytravelledandeasy。"
　　"Thenwhat’sthematterwithhim？"
　　Mamiemused，hesitated——seemedtoseeawidepast。"Idon’tknow。"
　　"Somethinginthebackground？"Thenasherfriendwassilent，"Somethingqueeraboutcards？"Mrs。Medwinthrewoff。
　　"Idon’tknow——andIdon’twantto！"
　　"Ahwell，I’msure_I_don’t，"Mrs。Medwinreturnedwithspirit。
　　Thenoteofsharpnesswasperhapsalsoalittleintheobservationshemadeasshegatheredherselftogo。"Doyoumindmysayingsomething？"
　　Mamietookhereyesquicklyfromthemoneyonthelittlestand。
　　"Youmaysaywhatyoulike。"
　　"Ionlymeanthatanythingawkwardyoumayhavetokeepoutofthewaydoesseemtomakemorewonderful，doesn’tit，thatyoushouldhavegotjustwhereyouare？Iallude，youknow，toyourposition。"
　　"Isee。"MissCuttersomewhatcoldlysmiled。"Tomypower。"
　　"SoawfullyremarkableinanAmerican。"
　　"Ahyoulikeusso。"
　　Mrs。Medwincandidlyconsidered。"Butwedon’t，dearest。"
　　Hercompanion’ssmilebrightened。"Thenwhydoyoucometome？"
　　"OhIlikeYOU！"Mrs。Medwinmadeout。
　　"Thenthat’sit。Thereareno’Americans。’It’salways’you。’"
　　"Me？"Mrs。Medwinlookedlovely，butalittlemuddled。
　　"ME！"MamieCutterlaughed。"Butifyoulikeme，youdearthing，youcanjudgeifIlikeYOU。"Shegaveherakisstodismissher。
　　"I’llseeyouagainwhenI’veseenher。"
　　"LadyWantridge？Ihopeso，indeed。I’llturnuplateto-morrow，ifyoudon’tcatchmefirst。Hasitcometoyouyet？"thevisitor，nowatthedoor，wenton。
　　"No;butitwill。There’stime。"
　　"Ohalittlelesseveryday！"
　　MissCutterhadapproachedthetableandglancedagainatthegoldandsilverandthenote，notindeedabsolutelyoverlookingthetwocoppers。"Thebalance，"sheputit，"thedayafter？"
　　"Thatverynightifyoulike。"
　　"Thencountonme。"
　　"OhifIdidn’t——！"Butthedoorclosedonthedarkidea。
　　Yearninglythen，andonlywhenithaddoneso，MissCuttertookupthemoney。
　　Shewentoutwithittenminuteslater，and，thecallsonhertimebeingmany，remainedoutsolongthatathalf-pastsixshehadn’tcomeback。Atthathour，ontheotherhand，ScottHomerknockedatherdoor，wherehermaid，whoopeneditwithaweakpretenceofholdingitfirm，venturedtoannouncetohim，asalessonwelllearnt，thathehadn’tbeenexpectedtillseven。Nolesson，nonetheless，couldprevailagainsthisnativeart。Hepleadedfatigue，her，themaid’s，dreadfuldepressingLondon，andtheneedtocurlupsomewhere。Ifshe’djustleavehimquiethalfanhourthatoldsofaupstairswoulddoforit;ofwhichhetookquicklysucheffectualpossessionthatwhenfiveminuteslatershepeeped，nervousforherbrokenvow，intothedrawing-room，thefaithlessyoungwomanfoundhimextendedathislengthandpeacefullyasleep。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　ThesituationbeforeMissCutter’sreturndevelopedinotherdirectionsstill，andwhenthateventtookplace，atafewminutespastseven，thesecircumstanceswere，bythefootofthestair，betweenmistressandmaid，thesubjectofsomeinterrogativegaspsandscaredadmissions。LadyWantridgehadarrivedshortlyaftertheinterloper，andwishing，asshesaid，towait，hadgonestraightupinspiteofbeingtoldhewaslyingdown。
　　"Shedistinctlyunderstoodhewasthere？"
　　"Ohyesma’am;Ithoughtitrighttomention。"
　　"Andwhatdidyoucallhim？"
　　"Well，ma’am，IthoughtitunfairtoYOUtocallhimanythingbutagentleman。"
　　Mamietookitallin，thoughtheremightwellbemoreofitthanonecouldquicklyembrace。"Butifshehashadtime，"sheflashed，"tofindoutheisn’tone？"
　　"Ohma’am，shehadaquarterofanhour。"
　　"Thensheisn’twithhimstill？"
　　"Noma’am;shecamedownagainatlast。Sherang，andIsawherhere，andshesaidshewouldn’twaitlonger。"
　　MissCutterdarklymused。"Yethadalreadywaited——？"
　　"Quiteaquarter。"
　　"Mercyonus！"Shebegantomount。BeforereachingthetophowevershehadreflectedthatquiteaquarterwaslongifLadyWantridgehadonlybeenshocked。Ontheotherhanditwasshortifshehadonlybeenpleased。ButhowCOULDshehavebeenpleased？
　　Theveryessenceoftheiractualcrisiswasjustthattherewasnopleasingher。Mamiehadbuttoopenthedrawing-roomdoorindeedtoperceivethatthiswasnottrueatleastofScottHomer，whowashorriblycheerful。
　　MissCutterexpressedtoherbrotherwithoutreservehersenseoftheconstitutional，thebrutalselfishnessthathaddeterminedhismistimedreturn。Ithadtakenplace，inviolationoftheiragreement，exactlyatthemomentwhenitwasmostcrueltoherthatheshouldbethere，andifshemustnowcompletelywashherhandsofhimhehadonlyhimselftothank。Shehadcomeinflushedwithresentmentandforamomenthadbeenvoluble，butitwouldhavebeenstrikingthat，thoughthewayhereceivedhermighthaveseemedbuttoaggravate，itpresentlyjustifiedhimbycausingtheirrelationreallytotakeastride。Hehadtheartofconfoundingthosewhowouldquarrelwithhimbyreducingthemtothehumiliationofastirredcuriosity。
　　"WhatCOULDshehavemadeofyou？"Mamiedemanded。
　　"Mydeargirl，she’snotawomanwho’seagertomaketoomuchofanything——anything，Imean，thatwillpreventherfromdoingasshelikes，whatshetakesintoherhead。Ofcourse，"hecontinuedtoexplain，"ifit’ssomethingshedoesn’twanttodo，she’llmakeasmuchasMoses。"
　　Mamiewonderedifthatwasthewayhetalkedtohervisitor，butfeltobligedtoowntohisacuteness。ItwasanexactdescriptionofLadyWantridge，andshewasconsciousoftuckingitawayforfutureuseinacornerofhermiscellaneouslittlemind。Shewithheldhoweverallpresentacknowledgment，onlyaddressinghimanotherquestion。"Didyoureallygetonwithher？"
　　"Haveyoustilltolearn，darling——Ican’thelpagainputtingittoyou——thatIgetonwitheverybody？That’sjustwhatIdon’tseemabletodriveintoyou。OnlyseehowIgetonwithYOU。"
　　Shealmoststoodcorrected。"WhatImeanisofcoursewhether——"
　　"Whethershemadelovetome？Shyly，yet——orbecause——shamefully？
　　Shewouldcertainlyhavelikedawfullytostay。"
　　"Thenwhydidn’tshe？"
　　"Because，onaccountofsomeothermatter——andIcouldseeitwastrue——shehadn’ttime。Twentyminutes——shewashereless——wereallshecametogiveyou。Sodon’tbeafraidI’vefrightenedheraway。
　　She’llcomeback。"
　　Mamiethoughtitover。"Yetyoudidn’tgowithhertothedoor？"
　　"Shewouldn’tletme，andIknowwhentodowhatI’mtold——quiteasmuchaswhatI’mnottold。Shewantedtofindoutaboutme。I
　　meanfromyourlittlecreature;apearloffidelity，bytheway。"
　　"Butwhatonearthdidshecomeupfor？"Mamieagainfoundherselfappealing，andjustbythatfactshowingherneedofhelp。
　　"Becauseshealwaysgoesup。"Thenas，inthepresenceofthisrapidgeneralisation，tosaynothingofthatofsucharelativealtogether，MissCuttercouldonlyshowascomparativelyblank："I
　　meansheknowswhentogoupandwhentocomedown。Shehasinstincts;shedidn’tknowwhomyoumighthaveuphere。It’sakindofcomplimenttoyouanyway。WhyMamie，"Scottpursued，"youdon’tknowthecuriosityweanyofusinspire。Youwouldn’tbelievewhatI’veseen。Thebiggerbugstheyarethemorethey’reonthelookout。"
　　Mamiestillfollowed，butatadistance。"Thelookoutforwhat？"
　　"Whyforanythingthatwillhelpthemtolive。You’vebeenhereallthistimewithoutmakingoutthen，aboutthem，whatI’vehadtopickoutasIcan？They’redead，don’tyousee？AndWE’REalive。"
　　"You？Oh！"——Mamiealmostlaughedaboutit。
　　"Well，they’reaworn-outoldlotanyhow;they’veuseduptheirresources。TheydolookoutandI’lldothemthejusticetosaythey’renotafraid——notevenofme！"hecontinuedashissisteragainshowedsomethingofthesameirony。"LadyWantridgeatanyratewasn’t;that’swhatImeanbyherhavingmadelovetome。Shedoeswhatshelikes。Mindit，youknow。"Hewasbythistimefairlyteachinghertoreadoneofherbestfriends，andwhen，afterit，hehadcomebacktothegreatpointofhislesson——thatofherfailure，throughfeminineinferiority，practicallytograspthetruththattheirbeingjustastheywere，heandshe，wastherealcardforthemtoplay——whenhehadrenewedthatreminderheleftherabsolutelyinastateofdependence。HerimpulsetopresshimonthesubjectofLadyWantridgedropped;itwasasifshehadfeltthat，whateverhadtakenplace，somethingwouldsomehowcomeofit。Shewastobeinamannerdisappointed，buttheimpressionhelpedtokeepherovertothenextmorning，when，asScotthadforetold，hisnewacquaintancedidreappear，explainingtoMissCutterthatshehadactedthedaybeforetogaintimeandthatsheevennowsoughttogainitbynotwaitinglonger。What，shepromptlyintimatedshehadaskedherself，couldthatfriendbethinkingof？Shemustshowwhereshestoodbeforethingshadgonetoofar。Ifshehadbroughtheranswerwithoutmoredelayshewishedmakeitsharp。Mrs。Medwin？Never！"No，mydear——notI。
　　THEREIstop。"
　　Mamiehadknownitwouldbe"collar-work，"butsomehownow，atthebeginningshefeltherheartsink。Itwasnotthatshehadexpectedtocarrythepositionwitharush，butthat，asalwaysafteraninterval，hervisitor’sdefencesreallyloomed——andquite，asitwere，tothematerialvision——toolarge。Shewasalwaysplantedwiththem，voluminous，intheverycentreofthepassage;
　　waslikeapersonaccommodatedwithachairinsomeunlawfulplaceatthetheatre。Shewouldn’tmoveandyoucouldn’tgetround。
　　Mamie’scalculationindeedhadnotbeenongettinground;shewasobligedtorecognisethat，toofoolishlyandfondly，shehaddreamedofinducingasurrender。Herdreamhadbeenthefruitofherneed;but，consciousthatshewasevenyetunequippedforpressure，shefelt，almostforthefirsttimeinherlife，superficialandcrude。Shewastobepaid——butwithwhatwasshe，tothatend，topay？Shehadengagedtofindananswertothisquestion，buttheanswerhadnot，accordingtoherpromise，"come。"
　　AndLadyWantridgemeanwhilemassedherself，andtherewasnoviewofherthatdidn’tshowherasverily，bysomeprocesstooobscuretobetraced，theharddepositoryofthesociallaw。Shewasnoyounger，nofresher，nostronger，really，thananyofthem;shewasonly，withakindofhaggardfineness，asharpenedtasteforlife，and，withallsortsofthingsbehindandbeneathher，moreabysmalandmoreimmoral，moresecureandmoreimpertinent。Thepointsshemadeweretwoinnumber。Onewasthatsheabsolutelydeclined;theotherwasthatshequitedoubtedifMamieherselfhadmeasuredthejob。Thethingcouldn’tbedone。ButsayitCOULDbe;wasMamiequitethepersontodoit？TothisMissCutter，withasweetsmile，repliedthatshequiteunderstoodhowlittleshemightseemso。"I’monlyoneofthepersonstowhomithasappearedthatYOU
　　are。"
　　"Thenwhoaretheothers？"
　　"Well，tobeginwith，LadyEdward，LadyBellhouseandMrs。
　　Pouncer。"
　　"Doyoumeanthatthey’llcometomeether？"
　　"I’veseenthem，andthey’vepromised。"
　　"Tocome，ofcourse，"LadyWantridgesaid，"if_I_come。"
　　Herhostesscastabout。"Ohofcourseyoucouldpreventthem。ButIshouldtakeitasawfullykindofyounotto。WON’Tyoudothisforme？"Mamiepleaded。
　　HerfriendlookedovertheroomverymuchasScotthaddone。"Dotheyreallyunderstandwhatit’sFOR？"
　　"Perfectly。Sothatshemaycall。"
　　"Andwhatgoodwillthatdoher？"
　　MissCutterfaltered，butshepresentlybroughtitout。"Naturallywhatonehopesisthat，you’llaskher。"
　　"Askhertocall？"
　　"Askhertodine。Askher，ifyou’dbesotrulysweet，foraSunday;orsomethingofthatsort，andevenifonlyinoneofyourMOSTmixedparties，toCatchmore。"
　　MissCutterfeltthelesshopefulafterthiseffortinthathercompaniononlyshowedastrangegoodnature。Anditwasn’tasatiricamiability，thoughitWASamusement。"TakeMrs。Medwinintomyfamily？"
　　"Somedaywhenyou’retakingfortyothers。"
　　"AhbutwhatIdon’tseeiswhatitdoesforYOU。You’realreadysowelcomeamongusthatyoucanscarcelyimproveyourpositionevenbyformingforusthemostdelightfulrelation。"
　　"Well，Iknowhowdearyouare，"MamieCutterreplied;"butonehasafterallmorethanonesideandmorethanonesympathy。Ilikeher，youknow。"AndevenatthisLadyWantridgewasn’tshocked;
　　sheshowedthateaseandblandnesswhichwereherway，unfortunately，ofbeingmostimpossible。SheremarkedthatSHE
　　mightlistentosuchthings，becauseshewascleverenoughforthemnottomatter;onlyMamieshouldtakecarehowshewentaboutsayingthematlarge。Whenshebecamedefinitehowever，inaminute，onthesubjectofthepublicfacts，MissCuttersoonfoundherselfreadytomakeherownconcession。Ofcourseshedidn’tdisputeTHEM：theretheywere;theywereunfortunatelyonrecord，and，nothingwastobedoneaboutthembutto——Mamiefounditintruthatthispointalittledifficult。
　　"Well，what？Pretendalreadytohaveforgottenthem？"
　　"Whynot，whenyou’vedoneitinsomanyothercases？"
　　"ThereAREnoothercasessobad。Onemeetsthematanyrateastheycome。Someyoucanmanage，othersyoucan’t。It’snouse，youmustgivethemup。They’repastpatching;there’snothingtobedonewiththem。There’snothingaccordinglytobedonewithMrs。Medwinbuttoputheroff。"AndLadyWantridgerosetoherheight。
　　"Well，youknow，IDOdothings，"Mamiequaveredwithasmilesostrainedthatitpartookofexaltation。
　　"Youhelppeople？Ohyes，I’veknownyoutodowonders。Butstick，"saidLadyWantridgewithstrongandcheerfulemphasis，"toyourAmericans！"
　　MissCutter，gazing，gotup。"Youdon’tdojustice，LadyWantridge，toyourowncompatriots。Someofthemarereallycharming。Besides，"saidMamie，"workingformineoftenstrikesme，sofarastheinterest——theinspirationandexcitement，don’tyouknow？——go，asrathertooeasy。Youall，asIconstantlyhaveoccasiontosay，likeusso！"
　　Hercompanionfranklyweighedit。"Yes;ittakesthattoaccountforyourposition。I’vealwaysthoughtofyouneverthelessaskeepingfortheirbenefitaregularworkingagency。Theycometoyou，andyouplacethem。Thereremains，Iconfess，"herladyshipwentoninthesamefreespirit，"thegreatwonder——"
　　"OfhowIfirstplacedmypoorlittleself？Yes，"Mamiebravelyconceded，"when_I_begantherewasnoagency。Ijustworkedmypassage。Ididn’tevencometoYOU，didI？Younevernoticedmetill，asMrs。ShortStokessays，’Iwas’way，’wayup！’Mrs。
　　Medwin，"shethrewin，"can’tgetoverit。"Then，asherfriendlookedvague："Overmysocialsituation。"
　　"Well，it’snogreatflatterytoyoutosay，"LadyWantridgegood-
　　humouredlyreturned，"thatshecertainlycan’thopeforoneresemblingit。"Yetitreallyseemedtospreadtherebeforethem。
　　"YousimplyMADEMrs。ShortStokes。"
　　"Inspiteofhername！"Mamiesmiled。
　　"Ohyour’names’——！Inspiteofeverything。"
　　"AhI’msomethingofanartist。"Withwhich，andarelapsemarkedbyherwistfuleyesintothegravityofthematter，shesupremelyfixedherfriend。Shefelthowlittleshemindedbetrayingatlasttheextremityofherneed，anditwasoutofthisextremitythatherappealproceeded。"HaveIreallyhadyourlastword？Itmeanssomuchtome。"
　　LadyWantridgecamestraighttothepoint。"Youmeanyoudependonit？"
　　"Awfully！"
　　"Isitallyouhave？"
　　"All。Now。"
　　"ButMrs。ShortStokesandtheothers——’rolling，’aren’tthey？
　　Don’ttheypayup？"
　　"Ah，"sighedMamie，"ifitwasn’tforTHEM——！"
　　LadyWantridgeperceived。"You’vehadsomuch？"
　　"Icouldn’thavegoneon。"
　　"Thenwhatdoyoudowithitall？"
　　"Ohmostofitgoesbacktothem。Thereareallsorts，andit’sallhelp。Someofthemhavenothing。"
　　"Ohifyoufeedthehungry，"LadyWantridgelaughed，"you’reindeedinagreatwayofbusiness。IsMrs。Medwin"——hertransitionwasimmediate——"reallyrich？"
　　"Really。Helefthereverything。"
　　"SothatifIdosay’yes’——"
　　"Itwillquitesetmeup。"
　　"Isee——andhowmuchmoreresponsibleitmakesone！ButI’drathermyselfgiveyouthemoney。"
　　"Oh！"Mamiecoldlymurmured。
　　"YoumeanImayn’tsuspectyourprices？Well，IdaresayIdon’t！
　　ButI’drathergiveyoutenpounds。"
　　"Oh！"Mamierepeatedinatonethatsufficientlycoveredherprices。Thequestionwasineverywaylarger。"Doyouneverforgive？"shereproachfullyinquired。ThedooropenedhoweveratthemomentshespokeandScottHomerpresentedhimself。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　ScottHomerworeexactly，tohissister’seyes，theaspecthehadwornthedaybefore，anditalsoformedtohersensethegreatfeatureofhisimpartialgreeting。
　　"Howd’yedo，Mamie？Howd’yedo，LadyWantridge？"
　　"Howd’yedoagain？"LadyWantridgerepliedwithanequanimitystrikingtoherhostess。ItwasasifScott’sownhadbeencontagious;itwasalmostindeedasifshehadseenhimbefore。
　　Hadsheeversoseenhim——beforethepreviousday？WhileMissCutterputtoherselfthisquestionhervisitoratalleventsmettheoneshehadpreviouslyuttered。"Ever’forgive’？"thispersonageechoedinatonethatmadeaslittleaccountaspossibleoftheinterruption。"Dearyes！ThepeopleIHAVEforgiven！"Shelaughed——perhapsalittlenervously;andshewasnowlookingatScott。Thewayshelookedathimwaspreciselywhathadalreadyhaditseffectforhissister。"ThepeopleIcan！"
　　"Canyouforgiveme？"askedScottHomer。
　　Shetookitsoeasily。"But——what？"
　　Mamieinterposed;sheturneddirectlytoherbrother。"Don’ttryher。Leaveitso。"Shehadhadaninspiration，itwasthemostextraordinarythingintheworld。"Don’ttryHIM"——shehadturnedtotheircompanion。Shelookedgrave，sad，strange。"Leaveitso。"Yes，itwasadistinctinspiration，whichshecouldn’thaveexplained，butwhichhadcome，promptedbysomethingshehadcaught——theextentoftherecognitionexpressed——inLadyWantridge’sface。Ithadcomeabsolutelyofasudden，straightoutoftheoppositionofthetwofiguresbeforeher——quiteasifaconcussionhadstruckalight。Thelightwashelpedbyherquickenedsensethatherfriend’ssilenceontheincidentofthedaybeforeshowedsomesortofconsciousness。Shelookedsurprised。"Doyouknowmybrother？"
　　"DOIknowyou？"LadyWantridgeaskedofhim。
　　"No，LadyWantridge，"Scottpleasantlyconfessed，"notonelittlemite！"
　　"WellthenifyouMUSTgo——"andMamieofferedherahand。"ButI’llgodownwithyou。NOTYOU！"shelaunchedatherbrother，whoimmediatelyeffacedhimself。Hiswayofdoingso——andhehadalreadydoneso，asforLadyWantridge，inrespecttotheirpreviousencounter——struckherevenatthemomentasaninstinctiveifslightlyblindtributetoherpossessionofanidea;andassuch，initscelerity，madehersoadmirehim，andtheircommonwit，thatsheonthespotmorethanforgavehimhisqueerness。Hewasright。Hecouldbeasqueerasheliked！Thequeererthebetter！Itwasatthefootofthestairs，whenshehadgotherguestdown，thatwhatshehadassuredMrs。Medwinwouldcomedidindeedcome。"DIDyoumeethimhereyesterday？"
　　"Dearyes。Isn’thetoofunny？"
　　"Yes，"saidMamiegloomily。"HeISfunny。Buthadyouevermethimbefore？"
　　"Dearno！"
　　"Oh！"——andMamie’stonemighthavemeantmanythings。
　　LadyWantridgehowever，afterall，easilyoverlookedit。"IonlyknewhewasoneofyouroddAmericans。That’swhy，whenIheardyesterdayherethathewasupthereawaitingyourreturn，Ididn’tletthatpreventme。Ithoughthemightbe。Hecertainly，"herladyshiplaughed，"IS。"
　　"Yes，he’sveryAmerican，"Mamiewentoninthesameway。
　　"Asyousay，weAREfondofyou！Good-bye，"saidLadyWantridge。
　　ButMamiehadnothalfdonewithher。Shefeltmoreandmore——orshehopedatleast——thatshelookedstrange。SheWAS，nodoubt，ifitcametothat，strange。"LadyWantridge，"shealmostconvulsivelybrokeout，"Idon’tknowwhetheryou’llunderstandme，butIseemtofeelthatImustactwithyou——Idon’tknowwhattocallit！——responsibly。HeISmybrother。"
　　"Surely——andwhynot？"LadyWantridgestared。"He’stheimageofyou！"
　　"Thankyou！"——andMamiewasstrangerthanever。
　　"Ohhe’sgood-looking。He’shandsome，mydear。Oddly——butdistinctly！"Herladyshipwasfortreatingitmuchasajoke。
　　ButMamie，allsombre，wouldhavenoneofthis。Sheboldlygavehimup。"Ithinkhe’sawful。"
　　"Heisindeed——delightfully。AndwhereDOyougetyourwaysofsayingthings？Itisn’tanything——andthethingsaren’tanything。
　　Butit’ssodroll。"
　　"Don’tletyourself，allthesame，"Mamieconsistentlypursued，"becarriedawaybyit。Thethingcan’tbedone——simply。"
　　LadyWantridgewondered。"’Donesimply’？"
　　"Doneatall。"
　　"Butwhatcan’tbe？"
　　"Why，whatyoumightthink——fromhispleasantness。Whathespokeofyourdoingforhim。"
　　LadyWantridgerecalled。"Forgivinghim？"
　　"Heaskedyouifyoucouldn’t。Butyoucan’t。It’stoodreadfulforme，assoneararelation，tohave，loyally——loyallytoYOU——tosayit。Buthe’simpossible。"
　　Itwassoportentouslyproducedthatherladyshiphadsomehowtomeetit。"What’sthematterwithhim？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"
　　"Thenwhat’sthematterwithYOU？"LadyWantridgeinquired。
　　"It’sbecauseIWON’Tknow，"Mamie——notwithoutdignity——explained。
　　"Then_I_won’teither。"
　　"Precisely。Don’t。It’ssomething，"Mamiepursued，withsomeinconsequence，"that——somewhereorother，atsometimeorother——heappearstohavedone。Somethingthathasmadeadifferenceinhislife。"
　　"’Something’？"LadyWantridgeechoedagain。"Whatkindofthing？"
　　Mamielookedupatthelightabovethedoor，throughwhichtheLondonskywasdoublydim。"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。"
　　"Thenwhatkindofdifference？"
　　Mamie’sgazewasstillatthelight。"Thedifferenceyousee。"
　　LadyWantridge，ratherobligingly，seemedtoaskherselfwhatshesaw。"ButIdon’tseeany！Itseems，atleast，"sheadded，"suchanamusingone！Andhehassuchniceeyes。"
　　"OhDEAReyes！"Mamieconceded;butwithtoomuchsadness，forthemoment，abouttheconnexionsofthesubject，tosaymore。
　　Italmostforcedhercompanionafteraninstanttoproceed。"Doyoumeanhecan’tgohome？"
　　Sheweighedherresponsibility。"Ionlymakeout——more’sthepity！——thathedoesn’t。"
　　"Isitthensomethingtooterrible——？"
　　Shethoughtagain。"Idon’tknowwhat——formen——IStooterrible。"
　　"Wellthenasyoudon’tknowwhat’is’forwomeneither——good-bye！"
　　hervisitorlaughed。
　　Itpracticallywounduptheinterview;which，however，terminatingthusonaconsiderablestiroftheair，wastogiveMissCutterforseveraldaysthesenseofbeingmuchblownabout。Thedegreetowhich，tobeginwith，shehadbeendrawn——orperhapsratherpushed——
　　closertoScottwasmarkedinthebriefcolloquythatsheonherfriend’sdeparturehadwithhim。Hehadimmediatelysaidit。
　　"You’llseeifshedoesn’taskmedown！"
　　"Sosoon？"
　　"OhI’veknownthematplaces——atCannes，atPau，atShanghai——doitsoonerstill。Ialwaysknowwhentheywill。YouCAN’Tmakeouttheydon’tloveme！"Hespokealmostplaintively，asifhewishedshecould。
　　"ThenIdon’tseewhyithasn’tdoneyoumoregood。"
　　"WhyMamie，"hepatientlyreasoned，"whatmoregoodCOULDit？AsI
　　tellyou，"heexplained，"ithasjustbeenmylife。"
　　"Thenwhydoyoucometomeformoney？"
　　"Ohtheydon’tgivemeTHAT！"Scottreturned。
　　"Sothatitonlymeansthen，afterall，thatI，atthebest，mustkeepyouup？"
　　HefixedonhertheniceeyesLadyWantridgeadmired。"Doyoumeantotellmethatalready——atthisverymoment——I’mnotdistinctlykeepingyou？"
　　Shegavehimbackhislook。"WaittillsheHASaskedyou，andthen，"Mamieadded，"decline。"
　　Scott，nottoogrossly，wondered。"AsactingforYOU？"
　　Mamie’snextinjunctionwasanswerenough。"ButBEFORE——yes——
　　call。"
　　Hetookitin。"Call——butdecline。Good！"
　　"Therest，"shesaid，"Ileavetoyou。"AndsheleftitinfactwithsuchconfidencethatforacoupleofdaysshewasnotonlyconsciousofnoneedtogiveMrs。Medwinanotherturnofthescrew，butpositivelyevaded，inherfortitude，thereappearanceofthatlady。Itwasnottillthefourthdaythatshewaiteduponher，findingher，asshehadexpected，tense。
　　"LadyWantridgeWILL——？"
　　"Yes，thoughshesaysshewon’t。"
　　"Shesaysshewon’t？O-oh！"Mrs。Medwinmoaned。
　　"Sittightallthesame。IHAVEher！"
　　"Buthow？"
　　"ThroughScott——whomshewants。"
　　"Yourbadbrother！"Mrs。Medwinstared。"Whatdoesshewantofhim？"
　　"ToamusethematCatchmore。Anythingforthat。AndheWOULD。
　　Butheshan’t！"Mamiedeclared。"Heshan’tgounlessshecomes。
　　Shemustmeetyoufirst——you’remycondition。"
　　"O-o-oh！"Mrs。Medwin’stonewasawonderofhopeandfear。"Butdoesn’thewanttogo？"
　　"HewantswhatIwant。ShedrawsthelineatYOU。IdrawthelineatHIM。"
　　"ButSHE——doesn’tshemindthathe’sbad？"
　　ItwassoartlessthatMamielaughed。"No——itdoesn’ttouchher。
　　Besides，perhapsheisn’t。Itisn’tasforyou——peopleseemnottoknow。Hehassettledeverything，atallevents，bygoingtoseeher。It’sbeforeherthathe’sthethingshe’llhavetohave。"
　　"Haveto？"
　　"ForSundaysinthecountry。Afeature——THEfeature。"
　　"Soshehasaskedhim？"
　　"Yes——andhehasdeclined。"
　　"ForME？"Mrs。Medwinpanted。
　　"Forme，"saidMamieonthedoor-step。"ButIdon’tleavehimforlong。"Herhansomhadwaited。"She’llcome。"
　　LadyWantridgedidcome。ShemetinSouthAudleyStreet，onthefourteenth，attea，theladieswhomMamiehadnamedtoher，togetherwiththreeorfourothers，anditwasratheramaster-
　　strokeforMissCutterthatifMrs。MedwinwasmodestlypresentScottHomerwasasmarkedlynot。Thisoccasion，however，isamedalthatwouldtakerarecasting，aswouldalso，forthatmatter，eventheminorlightandshade，thelowerrelief，ofthepecuniarytransactionthatMrs。Medwin’sflushedgratitudescarceawaitedthedispersalofthecompanymunificentlytocomplete。Anewunderstandingindeedonthespotreboundedfromit，theconceptionofwhich，inMamie’smind，hadpromptlybloomed。"Heshan’tgonowunlesshetakesyou。"Then，asherfancyalwaysmovedquickerforherclientthanherclient’sown——"DownwithhimtoCatchmore！
　　WhenhegoestoamusethemYOU，"sheserenelydeveloped，"shallamusethemtoo。"Mrs。Medwin’sresponsewasagainratheroddlydivided，butshewassufficientlyintelligiblewhenitcametomeetingthehintthatthislatterprovisionwouldrepresentsuccesstothetuneofaseparatefee。"Say，"Mamiehadsuggested，"thesame。"
　　"Verywell;thesame。"
　　TheknowledgethatitwastobethesamehadperhapssomethingtodoalsowiththeobligingspiritinwhichScotteventuallywent。
　　Itwasallatthelastratherhurried——apartyrapidlygottogetherfortheGrandDuke，whowasinEnglandbutforthehour，whohadgood-naturedlyproposedhimself，andwholikedhispartiessmall，intimateandfunny。Thisonewasofthesmallestandwasfinallyjudgedtoconformneithertoolittlenortoomuchtotheotherconditions——afterabriefwhirlwindofwiresandcounterwires，andaniteratedwaitingofhansomsatvariousdoors——toincludeMrs。
　　Medwin。ItwasfromCatchmoreitselfthat，snatching，amoment——onthewondrousSundayafternoon，thisladyhadtheharmoniousthoughtofsendingthenewcheque。Shewasinblissenough，butherscribblenonethelessintimatedthatitwasScottwhoamusedthemmost。HeWASthefeature。