e able to leave it to her.'

'Mrs. Innes must have great energy. To drive all the way up from Kalka
by noon and appear at a dinner-party at night--wonderful!'

'Oh, great energy,' Horace said.

'She will take you everywhere--to all the functions. She will insist on
your duty to society.'

Madeline felt that she must get him somehow back into his slough of
despond. His freedom paralyzed her. And he returned with a pathetic
change of tone.

'I suppose there is no alternative. Violet is very good about being
willing to go alone, or with somebody else; but I never think it quite
fair on one's wife to impose on her the necessity of going about with
other men.'

'Mrs. Worsley introduced us after dinner,' said Madeline.

She kept disparagement out of her mind, but he could not help perceiving
aloofness.

'Yes?'

The monosyllable told her sensitive ear that while he admitted her
consideration in going on with the subject, he was willing to recognize
that there was no more to say, and have done with it. She gathered up
her scruples and repugnances in a firm grasp. She would not let him
throw his own shadow, as an effectual obstacle, between himself and
liberty.

'I am going to ask you something,' she said; it might come naturally
enough from another man with whom your friendship was as candid as it
is with me; but there is an awkwardness in it from a woman. You must
believe I have a good reason. Will you tell me about your first meeting
with Mrs. Innes, when--when you became engaged?'

She knew she was daring a good deal; but when a man's prison is to be
brought down about his ears, one might as well begin, she thought, at
the foundation.

For a moment Innes did not speak, and then his words came slowly.

I find it difficult,' he said, 'to answer you. How can it matter--it is
impossible. I suppose you have heard some story, and it is like you to
want to be in a position to negative it. Ignore it instead. She has very
successfully championed herself. Believe nothing to her disadvantage
that may be said about that--that time. I was pleased to marry her, and
she was pleased to marry me. But for God's sake don't let us talk about
it!'

As he spoke Madeline saw the vivid clearness of the situation grow
blurred and confused. It was as if her point of view had suddenly
changed and her eyes failed her. Her eager impulse had beat less and
less strongly from the Worsley's door; now it seemed to shrink away in
fetters.