from the business world there will be a change in many
things. And when you are known to be alone in the fort--" She paused.

"Go on," he demanded, irritably. "Can I never make you understand how
much I want your advice, your opinions, your scoldings?"

"I think you will have new enemies with whom to deal--enemies you
never thought existed. I don't believe you can deal with them because
you have always been so cotton-woolled, so to speak, by being
Constantine's special project----"

"I've done what I've done myself," he interrupted, "and I'm afraid of
no one."

"You think you have," she corrected. "You have done what you have
because Constantine was back of you--and now he is an old, tired man,
and very soon he will think more of his days with Hannah than of the
present. Which is perfectly safe for him to do. Because Mr.
Constantine reckoned on his enemies he knew to a man who hated him and
who was afraid of him, who admired him and who would be indifferent;
and that is just as essential to success as to reckon on your friends.
You never did that--you hadn't the time--it was all so dazzling and
sudden with the war helping things along at breakneck speed. You will
find that if you have an Achilles' heel it will be because you did not
reckon on your enemies and are somewhat like a blindfolded man with
money in your purse set down in a strange locality.... There. How does
that sound for a welcome?"

Steve was pacing up and down the floor. "I'd like enemies," he said.
"I'd like to see them try jumping at my throat. I'd make them cry
quits. You don't frighten me; you stimulate me."

"That was my intention"--picking up her purse.

"Don't go--or let me come to supper," he begged.

She shook her head. Someone came in just then to whom she spoke of the
pleasure it was to be back at the office; the word spread that Miss
Faithful was back and girls came in groups to smile and say some
pretty thing, and the men nodded with a pleased expression. Watching
the procedure Steve realized that Mary was as dominant a personality
in his office as he was himself, and instead of feeling a vague
disapproval of the fact he was genuinely elated that it was so.

After the last of the visitors had gone and the clock pointed to five
he said: "Of course I'm going to be dragged some place this evening,
so I wouldn't have much time--but may I come to supper? I'm going out
of town next week. There, isn't that a good reason to come to-night?"