XXXVIII
　　Annadrovetothechemist’sforOwen’sremedy。Onthewayshestoppedhercabatabook—shop，andemergedfromitladenwithliterature。SheknewwhatwouldinterestOwen，andwhathewaslikelytohaveread，andshehadmadeherchoiceamongthenewestpublicationswiththepromptnessofadiscriminatingreader。Butonthewaybacktothehotelshewasovercomebytheironyofaddingthismentalpanaceatotheother。Therewassomethinggrotesqueandalmostmockingintheideaofofferingajudiciousselectionofliteraturetoamansettingoutonsuchajourney。"Heknows……heknows……"shekeptonrepeating；andgivingtheportertheparcelfromthechemist’sshedroveawaywithoutleavingthebooks。
　　Shewenttoherapartment，whitherhermaidhadprecededher。Therewasafireinthedrawing—roomandthetea—tablestoodreadybythehearth。Thestormyrainbeatagainsttheuncurtainedwindows，andshethoughtofOwen，whowouldsoonbedrivingthroughittothestation，alonewithhisbitterthoughts。Shehadbeenproudofthefactthathehadalwayssoughtherhelpindifficulthours；andnow，inthemostdifficultofall，shewastheonebeingtowhomhecouldnotturn。Betweenthem，henceforth，therewouldalwaysbethewallofaninsurmountablesilence……Shestrainedherachingthoughtstoguesshowthetruthhadcometohim。Hadheseenthegirl，andhadshetoldhim？Instinctively，Annarejectedthisconjecture。Butwhatneedwasthereofassuminganexplicitstatement，wheneverybreaththeyhaddrawnforthelastweekshadbeenchargedwiththeimmanentsecret？AsshelookedbackoverthedayssinceDarrow’sfirstarrivalatGivresheperceivedthatatnotimehadanyonedeliberatelyspoken，oranythingbeenaccidentallydisclosed。Thetruthhadcometolightbytheforceofitsirresistiblepressure；
　　andtheperceptiongaveherastartledsenseofhiddenpowers，ofachaosofattractionsandrepulsionsfarbeneaththeorderedsurfacesofintercourse。Shelookedbackwithmelancholyderisiononheroldconceptionoflife，asakindofwell—litandwellpolicedsuburbtodarkplacesoneneedneverknowabout。Heretheywere，thesedarkplaces，inherownbosom，andhenceforthshewouldalwayshavetotraversethemtoreachthebeingsshelovedbest！
　　Shewasstillsittingbesidetheuntouchedtea—tablewhensheheardDarrow’svoiceinthehall。Shestartedup，sayingtoherself："ImusttellhimthatOwenknows……"butwhenthedooropenedandshesawhisface，stilllitbythesamesmileofboyishtriumph，shefeltanewtheuselessnessofspeaking……HadheeversupposedthatOwenwouldnotknow？
　　Probably，fromtheheightofhisgreaterexperience，hehadseenlongsincethatallthathappenedwasinevitable；andthethoughtofit，atanyrate，wasclearlynotweighingonhimnow。
　　Hewasalreadydressedfortheevening，andashecametowardherhesaid："TheAmbassador’sbookedforanofficialdinnerandI’mfreeafterall。Whereshallwedine？"
　　Annahadpicturedherselfsittingalonealltheeveningwithherwretchedthoughts，andthefactofhavingtoputthemoutofhermindforthenextfewhoursgaveheranimmediatesensationofrelief。AlreadyherpulsesweredancingtothetuneofDarrow’s，andastheysmiledateachothershethought："NothingcaneverchangethefactthatIbelongtohim。"
　　"Whereshallwedine？"herepeatedgaily，andshenamedawell—knownrestaurantforwhichshehadonceheardhimexpressapreference。Butasshedidsoshefanciedshesawashadowonhisface，andinstantlyshesaidtoherself："ItwasTHEREhewentwithher！"
　　"Oh，no，notthere，afterall！"sheinterruptedherself；andnowshewassurehiscolourdeepened。
　　"Whereshallitbe，then？"
　　Shenoticedthathedidnotaskthereasonofherchange，andthisconvincedherthatshehadguessedthetruth，andthatheknewshehadguessedit。"HewillalwaysknowwhatIamthinking，andhewillneverdaretoaskme，"shethought；andshesawbetweenthemthesameinsurmountablewallofsilenceasbetweenherselfandOwen，awallofglassthroughwhichtheycouldwatcheachother’sfaintestmotionsbutwhichnosoundcouldevertraverse……
　　TheydrovetoarestaurantontheBoulevard，andthere，intheirintimatecorneroftheserriedscene，thesenseofwhatwasunspokenbetweenthemgraduallyceasedtooppressher。Helookedsolight—heartedandhandsome，soingenuouslyproudofher，soopenlyhappyatbeingwithher，thatnootherfactcouldseemrealinhispresence。HehadlearnedthattheAmbassadorwastospendtwodaysinParis，andhehadreasontohopethatinconsequencehisowndepartureforLondonwouldbedeferred。HewasexhilaratedbytheprospectofbeingwithAnnaforafewhourslonger，andshedidnotaskherselfifhisexhilarationwereasignofinsensibility，forshewastooconsciousofhispowerofswayinghermoodsnottobesecretlyproudofaffectinghis。
　　Theylingeredforsometimeoverthefruitandcoffee，andwhentheyrosetogoDarrowsuggestedthat，ifshefeltdisposedfortheplay，theywerenottoolateforthesecondpartoftheprogrammeatoneofthesmallertheatres。
　　HismentionofthehourrecalledOwentoherthoughts。Shesawhistrainrushingsouthwardthroughthestorm，and，inacorneroftheswayingcompartment，hisface，whiteandindistinctasithadloomedonherintherainytwilight。
　　Itwashorribletobethusperpetuallypayingforherhappiness！
　　Darrowhadcalledforatheatricaljournal，andhepresentlylookedupfromittosay："IhearthesecondplayattheAtheneeisamusing。"
　　ItwasonAnna’slipstoacquiesce；butasshewasabouttospeakshewonderedifitwerenotattheAtheneethatOwenhadseenDarrowwithSophyViner。Shewasnotsurehehadevenmentionedthetheatre，butthemerepossibilitywasenoughtodarkenhersky。ItwashatefultohertothinkofaccompanyingDarrowtoplaceswherethegirlhadbeenwithhim。Shetriedtoreasonawaythisscruple，sheevenremindedherselfwithabitterironythatwhenevershewasinDarrow’sarmsshewaswherethegirlhadbeenbeforeher——butshecouldnotshakeoffhersuperstitiousdreadofbeingwithhiminanyofthescenesoftheParisianepisode。
　　Sherepliedthatshewastootiredfortheplay，andtheydrovebacktoherapartment。Atthefootofthestairsshehalf—turnedtowishhimgoodnight，butheappearednottonoticehergestureandfollowedheruptoherdoor。
　　"Thisiseversomuchbetterthanthetheatre，"hesaidastheyenteredthedrawing—room。
　　Shehadcrossedtheroomandwasbendingoverthehearthtolightthefire。Sheknewhewasapproachingher，andthatinamomenthewouldhavedrawnthecloakfromhershouldersandlaidhislipsonherneck，justbelowthegathered—uphair。Theseprivilegeswerehisand，howeverdeferentlyandtenderlyheclaimedthem，thejoyouseaseofhismannermarkedadifferenceandproclaimedaright。
　　"Afterthetheatretheycamehomelikethis，"shethought；
　　andatthesameinstantshefelthishandsonhershouldersandshrankback。
　　"Don’t——oh，don’t！"shecried，drawinghercloakabouther。
　　Shesawfromhisastonishedstarethatherfacemustbequiveringwithpain。
　　"Anna！Whatonearthisthematter？"
　　"Owenknows！"shebrokeout，withaconfuseddesiretojustifyherself。
　　Darrow’scountenancechanged。"Didhetellyouso？Whatdidhesay？"
　　"Nothing！Iknewitfromthethingshedidn’tsay。"
　　"Youhadatalkwithhimthisafternoon？"
　　"Yes：forafewminutes。Icouldseehedidn’twantmetostay。"
　　Shehaddroppedintoachair，andsattherehuddled，stillholdinghercloakabouthershoulders。
　　Darrowdidnotdisputeherassumption，andshenoticedthatheexpressednosurprise。Hesatdownatalittledistancefromher，turningaboutinhisfingersthecigar—casehehaddrawnoutastheycamein。Atlengthhesaid："HadheseenMissViner？"
　　Sheshrankfromthesoundofthename。"No……Idon’tthinkso……I’msurehehadn’t……"
　　Theyremainedsilent，lookingawayfromoneanother。FinallyDarrowstoodupandtookafewstepsacrosstheroom。Hecamebackandpausedbeforeher，hiseyesonherface。
　　"Ithinkyououghttotellmewhatyoumeantodo。"
　　Sheraisedherheadandgavehimbackhislook。"NothingI
　　docanhelpOwen！"
　　"No；butthingscan’tgoonlikethis。"Hepaused，asiftomeasurehiswords。"Ifillyouwithaversion，"heexclaimed。
　　Shestartedup，half—sobbing。"No——oh，no！"
　　"Poorchild——youcan’tseeyourface！"
　　Sheliftedherhandsasiftohideit，andturningawayfromhimbowedherheaduponthemantel—shelf。Shefeltthathewasstandingalittlewaybehindher，buthemadenoattempttotouchherorcomenearer。
　　"Iknowyou’vefeltasI’vefelt，"hesaidinalowvoice——"
　　thatwebelongtoeachotherandthatnothingcanalterthat。Butotherthoughtscome，andyoucan’tbanishthem。
　　Wheneveryouseemeyouremember……youassociatemewiththingsyouabhor……You’vebeengenerous——immeasurably。
　　You’vegivenmeallthechancesawomancould；butifit’sonlymadeyousuffer，what’stheuse？"
　　Sheturnedtohimwithatear—stainedface。"Ithasn’tonlydonethat。"
　　"Oh，no！Iknow……There’vebeenmoments……"Hetookherhandandraisedittohislips。"They’llbewithmeaslongasI
　　live。ButIcan’tseeyoupayingsuchapriceforthem。
　　I’mnotworthwhatI’mcostingyou。"
　　Shecontinuedtogazeathimthroughtear—dilatedeyes；andsuddenlysheflungoutthequestion："Wasn’tittheAtheneeyoutookhertothatevening？"
　　"Anna——Anna！"
　　"Yes；Iwanttoknownow：toknoweverything。Perhapsthatwillmakemeforget。Ioughttohavemadeyoutellmebefore。Whereverwego，Iimagineyou’vebeentherewithher……Iseeyoutogether。Iwanttoknowhowitbegan，whereyouwent，whyyoulefther……Ican’tgooninthisdarknessanylonger！"
　　Shedidnotknowwhathadpromptedherpassionateoutburst，butalreadyshefeltlighter，freer，asifatlasttheevilspellwerebroken。"Iwanttoknoweverything，"sherepeated。"It’stheonlywaytomakemeforget。"
　　AftershehadceasedspeakingDarrowremainedwherehewas，hisarmsfolded，hiseyeslowered，immovable。Shewaited，hergazeonhisface。
　　"Aren’tyougoingtotellme？"
　　"No。"
　　Thebloodrushedtohertemples。"Youwon’t？Whynot？"
　　"IfIdid，doyousupposeyou’dforgetTHAT？"
　　"Oh——"shemoaned，andturnedawayfromhim。
　　"Youseeit’simpossible，"hewenton。"I’vedoneathingI
　　loathe，andtoatoneforityouaskmetodoanother。Whatsortofsatisfactionwouldthatgiveyou？Itwouldputsomethingirremediablebetweenus。"
　　Sheleanedherelbowagainstthemantel—shelfandhidherfaceinherhands。Shehadthesensethatshewasvainlythrowingawayherlasthopeofhappiness，yetshecoulddonothing，thinkofnothing，tosaveit。Theconjectureflashedthroughher："ShouldIbeatpeaceifIgavehimup？"andsherememberedthedesolationofthedaysaftershehadsenthimaway，andunderstoodthatthathopewasvain。
　　Thetearswelledthroughherlidsandranslowlydownbetweenherfingers。
　　"Good—bye，"sheheardhimsay，andhisfootstepsturnedtothedoor。
　　Shetriedtoraiseherhead，buttheweightofherdespairboweditdown。Shesaidtoherself："Thisistheend……hewon’ttrytoappealtomeagain……"andsheremainedinasortoftrancedrigidity，perceivingwithoutfeelingthefatefullapseoftheseconds。Thenthecordsthatboundherseemedtosnap，andsheliftedherheadandsawhimgoing。
　　"Why，he’smine——he’smine！He’snooneelse’s！"Hisfacewasturnedtoherandthelookinhiseyessweptawayallherterrors。Shenolongerunderstoodwhathadpromptedhersenselessoutcry；andthemortalsweetnessoflovinghimbecameagaintheonerealfactintheworld。
　　XXXIX
　　Anna，thenextday，woketoahumiliatedmemoryofthepreviousevening。
　　Darrowhadbeenrightinsayingthattheirsacrificewouldbenefitnoone；yetsheseemeddimlytodiscernthattherewereobligationsnottobetestedbythatstandard。Sheowedit，atanyrate，asmuchtohisprideastoherstoabstainfromtherepetitionofsuchscenes；andshehadlearnedthatitwasbeyondherpowertodosowhiletheyweretogether。Yetwhenhehadgivenherthechancetofreeherself，everythinghadvanishedfromhermindbuttheblindfearoflosinghim；andshesawthatheandshewereasprofoundlyandinextricablyboundtogetherastwotreeswithinterwovenroots。
　　Foralongtimeshebroodedonherplight，vaguelyconsciousthattheonlyescapefromitmustcomefromsomeexternalchance。Andslowlytheoccasionshapeditselfinhermind。
　　ItwasSophyVineronlywhocouldsaveher——SophyVineronlywhocouldgiveherbackherlostserenity。ShewouldseekthegirloutandtellherthatshehadgivenDarrowup；andthatsteponcetakentherewouldbenoretracingit，andshewouldperforcehavetogoforwardalone。
　　Anypretextforactionwasakindofanodyne，andshedespatchedhermaidtotheFarlows’withanoteaskingifMissVinerwouldreceiveher。Therewasalongdelaybeforethemaidreturned，andwhenatlastsheappeareditwaswithaslipofpaperonwhichanaddresswaswritten，andaverbalmessagetotheeffectthatMissVinerhadleftsomedayspreviously，andwasstayingwithhersisterinahotelnearthePlacedel’Etoile。ThemaidaddedthatMrs。
　　Farlow，onthepleathatMissViner’splanswereuncertain，hadatfirstmadesomedifficultyaboutgivingthisinformation；andAnnaguessedthatthegirlhadleftherfriends’roof，andinstructedthemtowithholdheraddress，withtheobjectofavoidingOwen。"She’skeptfaithwithherselfandIhaven’t，"Annamused；andthethoughtwasafreshincentivetoaction。
　　Darrowhadannouncedhisintentionofcomingsoonafterluncheon，andthemorningwasalreadysofaradvancedthatAnna，stillmistrustfulofherstrength，decidedtodriveimmediatelytotheaddressMrs。Farlowhadgiven。OnthewaythereshetriedtorecallwhatshehadheardofSophyViner’ssister，butbeyondthegirl’senthusiasticreportoftheabsentLaura’slovelinessshecouldrememberonlycertainvagueallusionsofMrs。Farlow’stoherartisticendowmentsandmatrimonialvicissitudes。Darrowhadmentionedherbutonce，andinthebriefestterms，ashavingapparentlyverylittleconcernforSophy’swelfare，andbeing，atanyrate，toogeographicallyremotetogiveheranypracticalsupport；andAnnawonderedwhatchancehadbroughthertohersister’ssideatthisconjunction。Mrs。
　　Farlowhadspokenofherasacelebrity（inwhatlineAnnafailedtorecall）；butMrs。Farlow’scelebritieswerelegion，andthenameontheslipofpaper——Mrs。McTarvie—
　　Birch——didnotseemtohaveanydefiniteassociationwithfame。
　　WhileAnnawaitedinthedingyvestibuleoftheHotelChicagoshehadsodistinctavisionofwhatshemeanttosaytoSophyVinerthatthegirlseemedalreadytobebeforeher；andherheartdroppedfromalltheheightofitscouragewhentheporter，afteralongdelay，returnedwiththeannouncementthatMissVinerwasnolongerinthehotel。
　　Anna，doubtfulifsheunderstood，askedifhemerelymeantthattheyoungladywasoutatthemoment；butherepliedthatshehadgoneawaythedaybefore。Beyondthishehadnoinformationtoimpart，andafteramoment’shesitationAnnasenthimbacktoenquireifMrs。McTarvie—Birchwouldreceiveher。ShereflectedthatSophyhadprobablypledgedhersistertothesamesecrecyasMrs。Farlow，andthatapersonalappealtoMrs。Birchmightleadtolessnegativeresults。
　　Therewasanotherlongintervalofsuspensebeforetheporterreappearedwithanaffirmativeanswer；andathirdwhileanexiguousandhesitatingliftboreheruppastasuccessionofshabbylandings。
　　Whenthelastwasreached，andherguidehaddirectedherdownawindingpassagethatsmeltofsea—goingluggage，shefoundherselfbeforeadoorthroughwhichastrongodouroftobaccoreachedhersimultaneouslywiththesoundsofasuppressedaltercation。Herknockwasfollowedbyasilence，andafteraminuteortwothedoorwasopenedbyahandsomeyoungmanwhoseruffledhairandgeneralairofcreaseddisorderledhertoconcludethathehadjustrisenfromalong—limbedsprawlonasofastrewnwithtumbledcushions。Thissofa，andagrandpianobearingabasketoffadedroses，abiscuit—tinandadevastatedbreakfasttray，almostfilledthenarrowsitting—room，intheremainingcornerofwhichanotherman，short，swarthyandhumble，satexaminingtheliningofhishat。
　　Annapausedindoubt；butonhernamingMrs。Birchtheyoungmanpolitelyinvitedhertoenter，atthesametimecastinganimpatientglanceatthemutespectatorinthebackground。
　　Thelatter，raisinghiseyes，whichwereroundandbulging，fixedthem，notontheyoungmanbutonAnna，whom，foramoment，hescrutinizedassearchinglyastheinteriorofhishat。Underhisgazeshehadthesenseofbeingminutelycataloguedandvalued；andtheimpression，whenhefinallyroseandmovedtowardthedoor，ofhavingbeenacceptedasabetterguaranteethanhehadhadanyreasontohopefor。Onthethresholdhisglancecrossedthatoftheyoungmaninanexchangeofintelligenceasfullasitwasrapid；andthisbriefsceneleftAnnasooddlyenlightenedthatshefeltnosurprisewhenhercompanion，pushinganarm—chairforward，sociablyaskedherifshewouldn’thaveacigarette。Herpoliterefusalprovokedtheremarkthathewould，ifshe’dnoobjection；andwhilehegropedformatchesinhisloosepockets，andbehindthephotographsandletterscrowdingthenarrowmantel—shelf，sheventuredanotherenquiryforMrs。
　　Birch。
　　"Justaminute，"hesmiled；"Ithinkthemasseur’swithher。"HespokeinasmoothdenationalizedEnglish，which，likethelookinhislong—lashedeyesandthepromptnessofhischarmingsmile，suggestedalongtraininginalltheartsofexpediency。Havingfinallydiscoveredamatch—boxonthefloorbesidethesofa，helithiscigaretteanddroppedbackamongthecushions；andonAnna’sremarkingthatshewassorrytodisturbMrs。Birchherepliedthatthatwasallright，andthatshealwayskepteverybodywaiting。
　　Afterthis，throughthehazeofhisperpetuallyrenewedcigarettes，theycontinuedtochatforsometimeofindifferenttopics；butwhenatlastAnnaagainsuggestedthepossibilityofherseeingMrs。Birchherosefromhiscornerwithaslightshrug，andmurmuring："She’sperfectlyhopeless，"loungedoffthroughaninnerdoor。
　　Annawasstillwonderingwhenandinwhatconjunctionofcircumstancesthemuch—marriedLaurahadacquiredapartnersoconspicuousforhispersonalcharms，whentheyoungmanreturnedtoannounce："Shesaysit’sallright，ifyoudon’tmindseeingherinbed。"
　　HedrewasidetoletAnnapass，andshefoundherselfinadimuntidyscentedroom，withapinkcurtainpinnedacrossitssinglewindow，andaladywithagreatdealoffairhairanduncoverednecksmilingatherfromapinkbedonwhichanimmensepowder—pufftrailed。
　　"Youdon’tmind，doyou？HecostssuchafrightfullotthatIcan’taffordtosendhimoff，"Mrs。Birchexplained，extendingathickly—ringedhandtoAnna，andleavingherindoubtastowhetherthepersonalludedtowerehermasseurorherhusband。Beforeareplywaspossibletherewasaconvulsivestirbeneaththepinkexpanse，andsomethingthatresembledanotherpowder—puffhurleditselfatAnnawithavolleyofsoundslikethepoppingofLilliputianchampagnecorks。Mrs。Birch，flingingherselfforward，gaspedout："Ifyou’djustgivehimacaramel……there，inthatboxonthedressing—table……it’stheonlyearthlythingtostophim……"andwhenAnnahadprofferedthissoptoherassailant，andhehadwithdrawnwithitbeneaththebedspread，hismistresssankbackwithalaugh。
　　"Isn’theabeauty？ThePrincegavehimtomedownatNicetheotherday——buthe’sperfectlyawful，"sheconfessed，beamingintimatelyonhervisitor。Intheroseatepenumbraofthebed—curtainsshepresentedtoAnna’sstartledgazeanoddchromo—likeresemblancetoSophyViner，orasuggestion，rather，ofwhatSophyVinermight，withtheyearsandinspiteofthepowder—puff，become。Larger，blonder，heavier—
　　featured，sheyethadglancesandmovementsthatdisturbinglysuggestedwhatwasfreshestandmostengaginginthegirl；andasshestretchedherbareplumparmacrossthebedsheseemedtobepullingbacktheveilfromdingydistancesoffamilyhistory。
　　"Dositdown，ifthere’saplacetositon，"shecordiallyadvised；adding，asAnnatooktheedgeofachairhungwithmiscellaneousraiment："MysingingtakessomuchtimethatI
　　don’tgetachancetowalkthefatoff——that’stheworstofbeinganartist。"
　　Annamurmuredanassent。"Ihopeithasn’tinconveniencedyoutoseeme；ItoldMr。Birch——"
　　"Mr。WHO？"therecumbentbeautyasked；andthen："Oh，JIMMY！"shefaintlylaughed，asifmoreforherownenlightenmentthanAnna’s。
　　Thelattercontinuedeagerly："IunderstandfromMrs。Farlowthatyoursisterwaswithyou，andIventuredtocomeupbecauseIwantedtoaskyouwhenIshouldhaveachanceoffindingher。"
　　Mrs。McTarvie—Birchthrewbackherheadwithalongstare。
　　"Doyoumeantosaytheidiotatthedoordidn’ttellyou？
　　Sophywentawaylastnight。"
　　"Lastnight？"Annaechoed。Asuddenterrorhadpossessedher。CoulditbethatthegirlhadtrickedthemallandgonewithOwen？Theideawasincredible，yetittooksuchholdofherthatshecouldhardlysteadyherlipstosay：
　　"Theporterdidtellme，butIthoughtperhapshewasmistaken。Mrs。FarlowseemedtothinkthatIshouldfindherhere。"
　　"ItwasallsosuddenthatIdon’tsupposeshehadtimetolettheFarlowsknow。Shedidn’tgetMrs。Murrett’swiretillyesterday，andshejustpitchedherthingsintoatrunkandrushed————"
　　"Mrs。Murrett？"
　　"Why，yes。Sophy’sgonetoIndiawithMrs。Murrett；they’retomeetatBrindisi，"Sophy’ssistersaidwithacalmsmile。
　　Annasatmotionless，gazingatthedisorderedroom，thepinkbed，thetrivialfaceamongthepillows。
　　Mrs。McTarvie—Birchpursued："Theyhadafearfulkick—uplastspring——Idaresayyouknewaboutit——butItoldSophyshe’dbetterlumpit，aslongastheoldwomanwaswillingto……Asanartist，ofcourse，it’sperfectlyimpossibleformetohaveherwithme……"
　　"Ofcourse，"Annamechanicallyassented。
　　ThroughtheconfusedpainofherthoughtsshewashardlyawarethatMrs。Birch’sexplanationswerestillcontinuing。
　　"NaturallyIdidn’taltogetherapproveofhergoingbacktothatbeastofawoman。IsaidallIcould……Itoldhershewasafooltochuckupsuchaplaceasyours。ButSophy’srestless——alwayswas——andshe’stakenitintoherheadshe’drathertravel……"
　　Annarosefromherseat，gropingforsomeformulaofleave—
　　taking。Thepushingbackofherchairrousedthewhitedog’ssmoulderinganimosity，andhedrownedhismistress’sfurtherconfidencesinanotheroutburstofhysterics。
　　ThroughthetumultAnnasignedaninaudiblefarewell，andMrs。Birch，havingmomentarilysucceededinsuppressingherpetunderapillow，calledout："Docomeagain！I’dlovetosingtoyou。"
　　Annamurmuredawordofthanksandturnedtothedoor。Assheopeneditsheheardherhostesscryingafterher：
　　"Jimmy！Doyouhearme？JimmyBRANCE！"andthen，therebeingnoresponsefromthepersonsummoned："DOtellhimhemustgoandcalltheliftforyou！"
　　End