rs lay with Hyde.

But as between him and Lizzie? There the reckoning was not so
easy. His wife had set scars on him that would never wear out.
Dimly Isabel guessed that since coming out of her destructive
hands Hyde himself could be both coarse and cruel: the seed of
brutality must have been in him all along, but Myrtle Villa had
fertilized it. If he married again, what would be required of
Lizzie's successor? A strange deep smile gave to Isabel's young
lips the wisdom of the women of all the ages. Love that gives
without stint asking for no recompense: love that understands yet
will not criticize nor listen to criticism: love that dares to
deny its lover for his own sake.

After collapse came quiescence, and, after a long quiescence,
revival. Hyde raised himself on his arm and felt for his
handkerchief--indifferent to Isabel's observation, or soothed by
it: his features were ravaged. Isabel drenched her own
handkerchief in Mrs. Bendish's eau-de cologne and gave it him,
dripping wet. "Take this, it will do you good."

"Thank you" said Lawrence, exhausted and subdued.

Becoming gradually rather more composed, he raised his eyes
again. "What must you think of me? It is beyond apology. Will
you ever forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive: I'm not hurt."

"You're rather young to hear such a history as mine."

She blushed. "Val says it doesn't matter what one knows so long
as one doesn't think about it in the wrong way." With her sweet
friendly smile, she touched with her fingertip the lapel of his
coat: an airy gesture, but there was a fire as well as sweetness
in Isabel, and for his life Lawrence could not repress a start.
"You mustn't mind me, Captain Hyde. You needn't mind, because
you couldn't help it. One can keep a secret for twenty years but
not for ever, and for confessor I suppose any woman will do
better than a man, won't she? It's not as though I should ever
tell any one else: I never will, I promise you that. You'll go
away and never see me again, and it'll be as though no one knew
or as though I were dead."

Touching innocence! Did she indeed imagine that after such a
scene . . .?

"But I do not care two straws," said Lawrence, "so spare your
consolations! On the contrary, it has been a great relief to me.
It's as if you had unlocked a door. The prisoner you have set
free thanks you. I was only afraid it might have been too much
for you, but you're made of strong stuff. Ye