"Think of the original absurdity of
being jealous of a rival, and that rival yourself! And remember that
'he' was my sweetheart, and for my own sake, don't abuse him. Why, it
was you all the time; and I always felt, even at the worst, that hidden
in the Brassfield personality was the one man for me in all the world.
It was this woman's instinct, that men never believe in, and the girl's
eyesight. I look at you, and I know you are the same. Don't slander
yourself as you appeared in your other mental clothes. I won't have
it--but don't change back, dear!"

"But really," said Elizabeth, "is it necessary for us to live in
Bellevale?"

"Would you go away--with me?"

There was a silence here, during which something seemed to take place
which removed the necessity of answer; for surely, Elizabeth would not
have allowed this question to go unanswered otherwise.

"Oh," said she, "there are more places I want to go, and more things I
want to see and study--you never would believe it! It will take years
and years."

"Well, why not?" answered Florian. "'Whether in Naishapur or Babylon',
I want to go to every one of those places myself--and always have. We
won't build that house. We'll have Blodgett stay and look after the
closing up of the business here by Stevens. We'll run out home so I
can say hail and farewell to Jennie and greet my new nephews and nieces
there, and then, ho! for Japan and India and the East, on our way to
those high places where you want to erect your idolatrous altars.
Elizabeth! Do you realize what a Paradise we're planning?"

"There!" she said quaveringly. "I knew it was too perfect to be true,
and that we'd find some obstacle, and I've found it! That miserable
office you'll have to fill!"

Chillingly the wet blanket descended on their fervid joy, and they
looked at each other in consternation. This public call on Mr.
Brassfield now became an incubus to Mr. Amidon, pinning him to earth as
he essayed to rise and fly. Gradually, as he looked fondly in his
lady-love's face, the hope dawned in his heart that perhaps her desire
that he should have a "career" might not be much greater than his.

"Dear," said he at last, "would you feel very sorely disappointed if we
were to give it up--the state and national capital life, and all that?"

"I disappointed!" exclaimed she. "Why, could you bring yourself to
give them up? I hate to say it--but--I just detest the whole thing!"

"So do I!"