the tendency increases as I grow older. Let us have
done with so unimportant a matter. Isn't Miss Nunn able to rejoin us?'

'She will come presently, I think.'

'How did you make this lady's acquaintance?'

Miss Barfoot explained the circumstances.

'She makes an impression,' resumed Everard. 'A strong character, of
course. More decidedly one of the new women than you yourself--isn't
she?'

'Oh, _I_ am a very old-fashioned woman. Women have thought as I do at
any time in history. Miss Nunn has much more zeal for womanhood
militant.'

'I should delight to talk with her. Really, you know, I am very
strongly on your side.'

Miss Barfoot laughed.

'Oh, sophist! You despise women.'

'Why, yes, the great majority of women--the typical woman. All the more
reason for my admiring the exceptions, and wishing to see them become
more common. You, undoubtedly, despise the average woman.'

'I despise no human being, Everard.'

'Oh, in a sense! But Miss Nunn, I feel sure, would agree with me.'

'I am very sure Miss Nunn wouldn't. She doesn't admire the feebler
female, but that is very far from being at one with _your_ point of
view, my cousin.'

Everard mused with a smile.

'I must get to understand her line of thought. You permit me to call
upon you now and then?'

'Oh, whenever you like, in the evening. Except,' Miss Barfoot added,
'Wednesday evening. Then we are always engaged.'

'Summer holidays are unknown to you, I suppose?'

'Not altogether. I had mine a few weeks ago. Miss Nunn will be going
away in a fortnight, I think.'

Just before ten o'clock, when Barfoot was talking of some acquaintances
he had left in Japan, Rhoda entered the room. She seemed little
disposed for conversation, and Everard did not care to assail her
taciturnity this evening. He talked on a little longer, observing her
as she listened, and presently took an opportunity to rise for
departure.

'Wednesday is the forbidden evening, is it not?' he said to his cousin.

'Yes, that is devoted to business.'

As soon as he had gone, the friends exchanged a look. Each understood
the other as referring to this point of Wednesday evening, but neither
made a remark. They were silent for some time. When Rhoda at length
spoke it was in a tone of half-indifferent curiosity.

'You are sure you haven't exaggerated Mr. Barfoot's failings?'

The reply was delayed for a moment.

'I was a little indiscreet to speak of him at all. But no, I didn'