"

And Harry went. He had nothing further to say. He was convicted by his
own conscience, and by the swift passage through his mind of certain
words that came from the Blameless One--"He that is without sin among
you, let him first cast a stone at her."

CHAPTER X

It was near Christmas, and New York had the sense of its festivity in
all her streets and avenues. The store windows were green and gay, and
the sidewalks crowded with buyers. The crisp, frosty air and bright
sunshine--full of promise and exhilaration--touched even Rose Van
Hoosen, and made her consciously subject to the pervading influence.
She had been to see her father and mother, who had just returned from
Europe, and she was going to the loneliness of her own handsome home.
No letter had come to her from her husband; but his lawyer brought her
every month the liberal income which had been left in his charge for
the maintenance of the Van Hoosen household.

As yet she had lived in seclusion, but her mother had advised a
different course. "You must give some small but extremely fine
dinners and entertainments, Rose," she said. "Nothing stops gossip
like hospitality. People will want to come to your little parties,
and they will pooh-pooh all ill-natured reports, for their own sake.
To-morrow we will talk over this plan, and arrange the most suitable
functions."

"But they will wonder at Antony's absence, mamma."

"They will hardly take it into account. His indifference and his
refusal to dance were always cold water on your social efforts. As far
as they are concerned, he is better away. And what more promising
excuse can you have than that gold has been found on his place. It
has a rich sound, and, of course, he has to look after it. No one will
think further than that. How are Harry and his wife getting on?"

"I think Yanna has quite spoiled Harry. Will you believe that I used
to meet him driving with the baby last summer; and he trotted to
meeting every Sunday with Yanna. I can tell you, mother, that your day
is over. Yanna has Harry quite under her thumb now, or I am much
mistaken."

"And the Cora Mitchin affair?"

"I should say it is dead and buried. I do not see the girl's name at
any theatre, and her picture is not staring you in the face from every
window this season. She has been retired evidently."

"We shall see. Now, Rose, throw aside this nonsensical air of
seclusion and sorrow. Get some pretty costumes, and prepare gradua