"One could hardly think that," he declared.

A sudden thought brought a fresh anxiety to her eyes, as she vehemently
demanded: "Was she--was Miss Williams, influenced by what people said
about you and me?"

"I suppose," he said, "the only version she had was the public one, and
I fancy there were those about her who made use of it, but I don't
believe it affected her decision."

Marian's voice was very low, almost tender now. "It would mean a good
deal to you, wouldn't it, to have her know the truth?"

His hand gripped her own feelingly for a moment and he nodded his head
but, in words, he said only: "Yes--it would."

"I wish I knew her. I wish I could set you straight with her," she told
him and after that she rose. "At all events it was worth the
experiment," she commented. "Well, '_la comedia e finita_.' I think now
I'll go to bed."

* * * * *

Conscience dealt relentlessly with herself in those storms of argument
which arose in her mind and had to be fought out; storms involving the
readjustment of her life to the partnership of marriage.

Yet she must not, if she placed value upon success, fall into the class
of parasite wives who suffer their own independence of thought to
languish.

One day she came into the study while Eben was engaged in those matters
of business which brought the most unaffected pleasure to his eyes and
his attitude was that of such absorption that she did not at once
announce her presence. When he turned at length and saw her, he came
instantly to his feet, but despite the smile of his welcome, Conscience
caught the repressed reluctance with which he shoved back his papers and
pencil.

"Eben," she hazarded, "why can't I make myself useful? Can't you
delegate some part of your work to me?"

Instead of gratification his expression took on the cast of
apprehension, though he laughed.

"What! Do you want to turn business woman, my dear?" he inquired. "Are
you ambitious to come into the firm and have your name on the door?"

"I want to have a hand on the oar because I think you have a sort of
financial genius and I'd like to share a thing which must come that
close to your inner life," she explained, and under the pleasurable
spell of her appreciation Tollman found himself expanding with
responsive pride. To certain forms of flattery he was as susceptible as
a schoolgirl.

"If I have ability," he made modest disavowal, "it's of a slight
caliber."