t, he
would never have heard of your play, and nothing that has happened
would have happened."

"No, you don't know that at all," said Maxwell; and it seemed to her
that she must sink to her knees under his magnanimity. "The thing might
have happened in a dozen different ways."

"No matter. I am to blame for it when it did happen; and now you will
never hear another word from me. Would you like me to swear it?"

"That would be rather unpleasant," said Maxwell.

They both felt a great physical fatigue, and they neither had the wish
to prolong the evening after dinner. Maxwell was going to lock the door
of the apartment at nine o'clock, and then go to bed, when there came a
ring at it. He opened it, and stood confronted with Grayson, looking
very hot and excited.

"Can I come in a moment?" the manager asked. "Are you alone? Can I speak
with you?"

"There's no one here but Mrs. Maxwell," said her husband, and he led the
way into the parlor.

"And if you don't like," Louise confessed to have overheard him, "you
needn't speak before her even."

"No, no," said the manager, "don't go! We may want your wisdom. We
certainly want all the wisdom we can get on the question. It's about
Godolphin."

"Godolphin?" they both echoed.

"Yes. He's given up the piece."

The manager drew out a letter, which he handed to Maxwell, and which
Louise read with her husband, over his shoulder. It was addressed to
Grayson, and began very formally.

"DEAR SIR:

"I wish to resign to you all claim I may have to a joint interest
in Mr. Maxwell's piece, and to withdraw from the company formed for
its representation. I feel that my part in it has been made
secondary to another, and I have finally decided to relinquish it
altogether. I trust that you will be able to supply my place, and I
offer you my best wishes for the success of your enterprise.

"Yours very truly,
"L. GODOLPHIN."

The Maxwells did not look at each other; they both looked at the
manager, and neither spoke.

"You see," said the manager, putting the letter back in its envelope,
"it's Miss Havisham. I saw some signs of what was coming at the
rehearsals, but I didn't think it would take such peremptory shape."

"Why, but he was here only a few hours ago, praising her to the skies,"
said Louise; and she hoped that she was keeping secret the guilty joy
she felt; but probab