to deal with complications when and as they arose; why
needlessly and foolishly annoy herself and hamper herself? Said she to
herself, "I must begin to be practical."

IV

AT the pier Mildred sent her mother a telegram, giving the train by
which she would arrive--that and nothing more. As she descended from
the parlor-car there stood Mrs. Presbury upon the platform, face
wreathed in the most joyous of welcoming smiles, not a surface trace of
the curiosity and alarm storming within. After they had kissed and
embraced with a genuine emotion which they did not try to hide, because
both suddenly became unconscious of that world whereof ordinarily they
were constantly mindful--after caresses and tears Mrs. Presbury said:

"It's all very well to dress plain, when everyone knows you can afford
the best. But don't you think you're overdoing it a little?"

Mildred laughed somewhat nervously. "Wait till we're safe at home,"
said she.

On the way up from the station in the carriage they chattered away in
the liveliest fashion, to make the proper impression upon any observing
Hanging-Rockers. "Luckily, Presbury's gone to town to-day," said his
wife. "But really he's quite livable--hasn't gone back to his old
ways. He doesn't know it, but he's rapidly growing deaf. He imagines
that everyone is speaking more and more indistinctly, and he has lost
interest in conversation. Then, too, he has done well in Wall Street,
and that has put him in a good humor."

"He'll not be surprised to see me--alone," said Mildred.

"Wait till we're home," said her mother nervously.

At the house Mrs. Presbury carried on a foolish, false-sounding
conversation for the benefit of the servants, and finally conducted
Mildred to her bedroom and shut doors and drew portieres and glanced
into closets before saying: "Now, what IS the matter, Millie? WHERE is
your husband?"

"In Paris, I suppose," replied Mildred. "I have left him, and I shall
never go back."

"Presbury said you would!" cried her mother. "But I didn't believe it.
I don't believe it. I brought you up to do your duty, and I know you
will."

This was Mildred's first opportunity for frank and plain speaking; and
that is highly conducive to frank and plain thinking. She now began to
see clearly why she had quit the general. Said she: "Mamma, to be
honest and not mince words, I've left him because there's nothing in
it."

"Isn't he rich?" inquired her mother. "I've al