. "I had a long discussion with Jimmy before I sent it. Of
course it would not have been written but for what he told me, only I
should love to try and make you happy too, though you may hate me for
it. I don't want you to hate me," Bridget added, "because I could grow
very fond of you if you would let me. Mean to blame one's
circumstances, isn't it? Still, you know, if my father and mother had
lived I have no shadow of doubt I should have gone along quite
decently, and you would have thought I was a very estimable person.
But I really want to talk about Mark!"

"What about him?" asked Carrissima, at once on her guard.

"The fact is," Bridget explained, "I ought to have drawn in and lived
on my hundred pounds a year, or whatever it was, only I hadn't got it
in me. I formed a different plan. I thought I would take London by
storm--no less! I had been flattered and spoiled in Paris, and
goodness knows what ridiculous ideas I came away with. Well, I was
left alone with no one to speak to till I recognized Mark at the Old
Masters', and dropped my purse so that he might pick it up and give me
an excuse to claim acquaintance. They say that open confession is good
for the soul! Oh dear, mine ought to be in such splendid condition."

"Why should you inflict the penance on yourself to-day?" suggested
Carrissima.

"I liked Mark Driver," said Bridget, "and I thought he liked me--in a
rather different way. Until he went to Yorkshire, I believed he would
ask me to marry him. I had tried to make him! After his return, that
evening he took me to Belloni's, I tried my hardest and wondered why I
failed till I saw you."

"I don't see what I can possibly have to do with it," murmured
Carrissima.

"Oh, you were very discreet--very clever! But it wasn't long before I
saw you would give your heart for Mark----"

"You have not the least right to say that!" exclaimed Carrissima.

"Of course I haven't," Bridget admitted. "I am taking the most
abominable liberty. Well, I was going to tell you that when Colonel
Faversham asked me to marry him, I temporized until Mark's return from
Paris; then I knew for certain there was nothing to be hoped for from
him. I am giving myself away pretty liberally," said Bridget, "but
this is what I want to make you understand. Though I deliberately
devoted myself to captivate Mark, he never yielded--till just that
once! Odd, that I who feel absolutely indifferent about him, should
read