ienna and crying all day in your room
over some man who'd made a fool of you. _You_ looked pretty flabby
then."

"How dare you remind me of that?" Stella cried, in a fury. "How dare
you? How dare you?"

"You brought it on yourself," said Michael coldly.

"You're going to pieces already under the influence of that girl. Marry
her, then! But don't come to me for sympathy, when she's forced you to
drag yourself through the divorce court."

"No, I shall take care not to come to you for anything ever again," said
Michael bitterly. "Unless it's for advice when I want to buy a spaniel."

They had turned again in the direction of the Hall, and over the windy
fields they walked silently. Michael was angry with himself for having
referred to that Vienna time. After all, it had been the only occasion
on which he had seen Stella betray a hint of weakness; besides, she had
always treated him generously in the matter of confidences. He looked
sidelong at her, but she walked on steadily, and he wondered if she
would tell Alan that they had been nearer to quarreling than so far they
had ever been. Perhaps this sort of thing was inevitable with marriage.
Chains of sympathy and affection forged to last eternally were smashed
by marriage in a moment. He had heard nothing said about Stella's music
lately. Was that also to vanish on account of marriage? The sooner he
and Lily left Hardingham, the better. He supposed he ought to suggest
going immediately. But Lily would be a problem until he could find a
place for her to live, and someone to chaperone her. They would be
married next month, and he would take her abroad. He would be able to
see her at last in some of the places where in days gone by he had
dreamed of seeing her.

"I suppose you wouldn't object to keeping Lily here two or three days
more, while I find a place in town?" said Michael. It only struck him
when the request was out how much it sounded like asking for a favor.
Stella would despise him more than ever.

"Michael," Stella exclaimed, turning round and stopping in his path.
"Once more I beg you to give up this idea of marriage. Surely you can
realize how deeply I feel about it, when even after what you said I'm
willing actually to plead with you. It's intolerable to think of you
tied to her!"

"It's too late," said Michael. "I must marry her. Not for any reasons
that the world would consider reasons," he went on. "But because I want
to marry her. The least you ca