66 Yesterday-if you want to know.” "Where?" "Driving in the park." "You could answer that question," said Edgerton, wheeling around on his friend. "You were driving with her." Courtlandt stared, slowly turning redder and redder. "You wanted to know," observed Edgerton, eyeing him. "It means nothing, of course I was riding along the bridle path and I caught a glimpse of you, and I saw her face. I thought her beautiful, I thought her beautiful, that's all. Drop the subject." "Certainly," answered Courtlandt. He opened his match-box and relighted his cigar; then he fell to musing, breaking the burnt match up into little pieces and tossing the morsels, one by one, into the fire. "Jack," he drawled, still busy with the match, "you gave me a month to report upon this matter concerning the dissolution of your marriage. It might interest you to learn the first step I took." 66 "I went to Paris." "To-to see— "Certainly, to see Mrs. Edgerton." The men's eyes met; the lawyer shrugged his shoulders. "Mrs. Edgerton is very inexperienced, very young," he said. "She is, of course, a Catholic. But if she desired her freedom a thousand times as fervently as you might desire yours, the law of her religion bars her way. You knew that of course." "I thought sometimes" began the other. "You are wrong. Edgerton stared into the glowing coals. "So you left it to me to see what could be done," added the attorney dryly. Edgerton assented. "Well," said Courtlandt, "I shouldn't have accepted such a commission had I not known it was quite unselfish on your part. You told me that her letters to you were pitifully loyal and conscientious; that you felt like a jailer watching an innocent life prisoner; that if you only knew how to do it you would give her the liberty God meant her to enjoy-liberty to love and be loved. And you allowed me a month to find the way to settle this wretched affair." 'Yes. Is there a way?" "Only one," replied Courtlandt gravely. He rose, offering his hand. Edgerton also rose, tall, clean cut, closely cropped hair just tinged with gray at the temples. "Only one way," repeated Courtlandt deliberately, "and that is for you to discuss the situation with Mrs. Edgerton." "What!" exclaimed Edgerton sharply, dropping his friend's hand. "You know I can't leave town to go to Paris." Courtlandt coolly consulted his watch. "I neglected to say that Mrs. Edgerton is in town. I believe"-he glanced at his watch again, then closed it with a snap— "I suggested that she waive ceremony and meet us here." "Here!" muttered Edgerton. "Wait a moment, will you? Do you mean to say that she is coming here to-night?” "Why not?" said Courtlandt, his gray eyes narrowing. "If she chooses to accept my advice, if she is woman enough to overlook what is due her from her husband, 'What was it?" inquired Edgerton, rais- why should she not come here as freely as ing his troubled eyes. you come?" "Are you my attorney or hers?" demanded the other in astonishment. "Yours, Jack-acting for your interest - which is hers too-which must be hers. Where is your sense of honor? Where is your sense of justice? Has the glimpse of a woman's face in the park seared your eyes? Is it true that an indifferent man can be just, but a man in love is a partisan? You could be coldly considerate and deal out passionless justice until yesterday. Now for the first time the fetters gall you. Is this the crisis where you flinch?” He stood, jerking on his gloves, scanning Edgerton's face. "I told her that the proper place to discuss the situation was under her own roof; and I am right. Do you consider a public hotel the suitable environment for such a conference? Her pride and intelligence comprehended me. That's all I have to say." "Why did you not tell me before this that she was in town? I understand the requirements of civilization, do I not?" "I did not tell you, because we landed only yesterday morning." "She came over with you?" "I'm sorry I needed this lesson in decency," he said. "It was all right for you to administer it. You need not worry; I understand that I am at my wife's disposal, not she at mine. I've kept my medicine waiting two years, that's all." "Oh, you're getting on," observed Courtlandt carelessly. "Good-night-I've a word to say to Mrs. Edgerton before I go." "You mean to stay, don't you?" began the other, flushing up. "It would be less trying for her But Courtlandt hurried off down the stairs, muttering vaguely of engagements for Christmas Eve, leaving Edgerton staring after him through the dimly lighted hallway. He heard Courtlandt enter the drawingroom; he could distinguish the quick, low exchange of greeting; then he went down slowly, steadying himself by the banisters. A young girl in furs turned toward him as he entered; he caught a glimpse of blue eyes, a glint of bright hair framed in fluffy fur; he heard Courtlandt's cool, easy voice presenting him to his wife; he took the slim gloved hand outstretched, held it stupidly "On my advice and at my earnest so- until it was withdrawn; then Courtlandt's licitation." voice again, promising to return, and ex Edgerton stared at him, tugging at his acting her promise to wait here for him if short mustache. "What are we to discuss?" he demanded sullenly. "As she is Catholic we cannot discuss divorce. We could, of course, come to some conclusion concerning a modus vivendi." It "I expect you to come to some such conclusion. Two years ago you were twentyeight-an over-sensitive young man, impulsive, illogical, and morbid concerning personal obligations. Without consulting your legal adviser you perpetrated a crime -for it is criminal to parody the highest safeguard of civilization-marriage. was a crime; your wife is your accomplice -particeps criminis, my friend. Neither you nor she deserves mercy. He turned away, buttoning his gloves. "It's touched your temples with gray, he observed. "You have learned something at thirty, Jack, even if it's cost you what you think a mésalliance." As he stepped to the door a maid appeared with a card on a salver. Edgerton glanced at it, then looked straight into Courtlandt's eyes. he should be detained. "I'm sorry I can't remain and dine with you and Mr. Edgerton on this night before Christmas," added Courtlandt blandly, making for the door. "Oh," she said, surprised, "I did not understand that Mr. Edgerton invited us." The color stung Edgerton's face, and he said in a low voice: "You are at home, madam; it is for you to invite us. Perhaps Mr. Courtlandt will stay if you ask him; I will if you ask me." She gave him a confused, brilliant little smile, a delicate tint mounting to her cheeks. "Thank you," she said; "you-everybody is so delightful to me. Will you stay, Mr. Courtlandt? 1- -we beg of you! No? Then, until I-until we have the pleasure -at nine, I believe?" From force of habit she turned to the dazed maid, who also instinctively recognized authority, and opened the door which a second later closed upon the most profoundly excited young attorney in Man hattan. self, not me, madam. For two years I have been responsible for your happiness. What have I done to secure it?" She turned a trifle pale, unprepared for such a question. But she answered very sweetly: "You left me guarded by the honor of your own name. I have never wanted for anything; I have had the quiet and seclusion I desired. What more is there, Mr. Edgerton?" And as he remained silent, she raised her head with a gay little smile: "You could not "It is for me to ask the privilege," he leave your affairs to come to France; you said, biting his lip. "Oh, if you please?"-she smiled, with a gesture toward the chair beside her. Seated there together under the crystal chandelier, she fell silent, meeting his gaze at moments with a questioning smile, partly confident, partly uncertain. "I saw you in the park yesterday," he said under his breath, never taking his eyes from her. "I saw you, too," she replied quickly. "You rode a bay. I never imaginedshe bent her head, thoughtfully studying the arabesques on the rug. "You ride very well," she added. Then, after a moment's silence: "And you remembered me?" "I recognized you at once," he said, “the instant I entered this room. It was that which startled me-made me appear stu 'Did-did you recognize me at once?" She looked at him, she glanced at the rug, her blue eyes grew vague, lost in retrospective revery. He did not repeat the question, but asked her how long it was since she had been in America. "Oh, many years I was only three when my father went to France." Then the warm color came into her face and she clasped her hands impulsively. "I do not believe," she said, "that I have conveyed to you in letters my deep appreciation of your loyalty to me. I—I did not know how to express it-I do not now. Believe me, monsieur, it does exist!” "What have you to thank me for?" he asked almost brusquely. Then, in a rush of bitterness: "your sentiments honor your did not suggest that I come to New York. How could I know that I should "What?" he urged. But she closed her red lips, sitting mute, suddenly shy again. After a moment she said, "Mais-he is absent a long while, Mr. Courtlandt.” "He isn't coming until nine o'clock," said Edgerton. He glanced across at the clock. It was half-past seven. "So, in the meanwhile, we are to discuss matters of importance," she suggested seriously. "Mr. Courtlandt said so. What monsieur, are we to discuss?” "There is absolutely nothing that I know of to discuss," replied Edgerton slowly. 'Nothing? "she inquired, wide-eyed and innocent. "Nothing, except your wishes, and they admit of no discussion. You are at home "But I-but I am staying at the HollandEdgerton touched a button; a servant appeared. "Mrs. Edgerton's luggage is at the Holland," he said quietly. "Telephone for it." Mrs. Edgerton half rose from her chair; then, meeting her husband's grave eyes, she sank back, crimson to the temples. "We are merely about to exchange quarters," he said pleasantly. "I shall be most comfortable at the Holland." "Oh, you shall not!-no, it is all wrong!" she pleaded, the color fading in her face. "I cannot come into your house-into your life——” "It is your house," he said gently. "Still, if-if you don't mind-there is a better way still of arranging matters. I have a whole floor on the third story; and perhaps you might not mind if I retain it. I promise," he added laughing, "to be a |