ht how the way had opened to his weak,
sentimental aunt; he fancied that he saw again the doe at the gate of
the imposing park of the unreal forest; the gate had swung open, and,
her eyes as mild as ever, the doe had entered the mystic world. To him
this image of his aunt was perfect. Oh! mysterious, dreadful, wonderful
heart of woman!

Bella stood by his side, looking up at him. "Cousin Antony," she
breathed, "why do you take her part?"

"I want her daughter to take it, Bella, or say nothing."

Her dark eyes were on him intently, curiously. His throat was bare, his
blond hair cut close around his neck; the marks of his recent grief and
struggle had thinned and saddened his face. He had altered very much in
five years.

"I remember," Bella said sharply, "you used to seem fond of her;" and
added, "I loved my father best."

Fairfax made no reply, and Bella walked slowly across the studio, and
started to sit down under the green lamp.

"No," cried Fairfax, "not there, Bella!"

Her hand on the back of the chair, the young girl paused in surprise.

"Why, why not, Cousin Antony?"

Why not, indeed! He had not prevented Rainsford from sitting there.

"Is the chair weak in its legs?" she laughed. "I'm light--I'll risk it,"
and, half defiantly, she seated herself by the table, leaning both
elbows on it. She looked back at him. "Now, make a little drawing of me
as you used to do. I'll show it to the girls in school to prove what a
genius we have in the family; and I must go back, too, or I'll have more
bad marks than ever."

Fairfax did not obey her. Instead, he looked at her as though he saw
through her to eternity.

Bella sprang up impulsively, and came toward him. "Cousin Antony," she
murmured, "I'm perfectly dreadful. I'm selfish and inconsiderate. It's
only because I'm a little wild. I don't mean it. You've told me
nothing." She lifted his cravat from the chair. "You wear a black cravat
and your clothes are black. Is it for Aunt Arabella still?"

Fairfax seemed to himself to look down on her from a height. Her
brilliance, her sparkle and youth were far away. His heart ached within
him.

"One goes mighty far in five years, Bella.... One loses many things."

"I know--Gardiner and your mother. But who else?"

He saw her face sadden; the young girl extended her hand to him, her
eyes darkened.

"Who else?" she breathed.

Fairfax put out his arms toward her, but did not enfold her. He let his
hands rest on h