and imperial namesake, in whose
meditations I have always found ineffable comfort, tells me this: 'If
anything external vexes you, take notice that it is not the thing which
disturbs you, but your notion about it, which notion you may dismiss
at once, if you please!' So I promise to dismiss all my notions of your
disturbing communication and not to be vexed."

"If there is one platitudinist I dislike more than another, it is Marcus
Aurelius," said Judith.

I laughed. It was very comfortable to sit before the fire, which
protested, in a fire's cheery, human way, against the depression of the
murky world outside, and to banter Judith.

"I can quite understand it," I said. "A man sucks in the consolations of
philosophy; a woman solaces herself with religion."

"I can do neither," she replied, changing her attitude with an
exaggerated shaking down of skirts. "If I could, I shouldn't want to go
away."

"Go away?" I echud.

"Yes. You mustn't be vexed with me. I haven't got a cook--"

"No one would have thought it, from the luncheon you gave me, my dear."

The alcoholized domestic, by the way, was sent out, bag and baggage,
last evening, when she was sober enough to walk.

"And so it is a convenient opportunity," Judith continued, ignoring my
compliment--and rightly so; for as soon as it had been uttered, I was
struck by an uneasy conviction that she had herself disturbed the French
caterers in the Tottenham Court Road from their Sabbath repose in order
to provide me with food.

"I can shut up the flat without any fuss. I am never happy at the
beginning of a London season. I know I'm silly," she went on, hurriedly.
"If I could stand your dreadful Marcus Aurelius I might be wiser--I
don't mind the rest of the year; but in the season everybody is in
town--people I used to know and mix with--I meet them in the streets
and they cut me and it--hurts--and so I want to get away somewhere by
myself. When I get sick of solitude I'll come back."

One of her quick, graceful movements brought her to her knees by my
side. She caught my hand.

"For pity's sake, Marcus, say that you understand why it is."

I said, "I have been a blatant egoist all the afternoon, Judith. I
didn't guess. Of course I understand."

"If you didn't, it would be impossible for us."

"Have no doubt," said I, softly, and I kissed her hand.

I came into her life when she counted it as over and done with--at eight
and twenty--and was patiently under