s. I had nothing to offer you. Here was my chance to
obtain something. I had no notion then that you lived in this
neighbourhood. When I found out, I was tempted to let you infer that
there was a mystery, some possible explanation of my conduct. It would
have been breaking my contract in the spirit, though not actually in the
letter. Well, I didn't break it at all, and of course you did not
understand. In order to keep my contract I had to deceive you, or at all
events to allow you to believe an untruth. Naturally you scorned my
deceit, as it appeared to you. It was that that mattered of course, not
the social position. I understood that completely. Later, you offered me
your friendship. You were ready to trust without understanding. I could
not accept your trust. A friendship between us must have led others to
suspect that I was not what I appeared to be. That was to be avoided. It
had to be avoided. I hurt you then, knowing what I did." He stopped.

"I think you hurt yourself too," she suggested quietly.

The muscles in Antony's throat contracted.

"Come here," said the Duchessa.

Antony crossed to the hearth. He stood looking down at her.

"Kneel down," said the Duchessa.

Obediently he knelt.

"You are so blind," said the Duchessa pathetically, "that you need to
look very close to see things clearly. Look right into my eyes. Can't you
see something there that will heal that hurt?"

A great sob broke from Antony's throat.

"Ah, don't, dear heart, don't," cried the Duchessa, drawing his head
against her breast.

* * * * *

"Will the new agent agree to live at the Manor House?" asked the
Duchessa, after a long, long interval composed of many silences though
some few words. "Will his pride allow him to accept a small material
benefit for a short time, seeing what a great amount of material benefit
will be his to bestow in the future?"

Antony laughed.

"I told Mr. Danver I wouldn't use a penny of his money for myself," he
said.

"Oh!" She raised her eyebrows in half comical dismay, which hid, however,
a hint of real anxiety. Would his pride accept where it did not bestow in
like kind? For other reason than this the bestowal would signify not at
all.

"You mind?" he asked smiling.

She looked straight at him.

"Not the smallest atom," she declared, utterly relieved, since there was
no shadow of false pride in the laughing eyes which met her own.

"Ah, but,