phase that
our civilization has contributed to the physiognomy of scandal, just as
the exile of the defaulter is the phase we have contributed to the
physiognomy of crime. Public opinion here isn't severe upon Mrs.
Wilmington or Mr. Northwick."

"I'm not prepared to quarrel with it on that account," said Matt, with
the philosophical serenity which might easily be mistaken for irony in
him. "The book we get our religion from teaches leniency in the judgment
of others."

"It doesn't teach cynical indifference," Wade suggested.

"Perhaps that isn't what people feel," said Matt.

"I don't know. Sometimes I dread to think how deeply our demoralization
goes in certain directions."

Matt did not follow the lure to that sort of speculative inquiry he and
Wade were fond of. He said, with an abrupt return to the personal
ground: "Then you don't think Jack Wilmington need be any further
considered in regard to her?"

"In regard to Miss Sue Northwick? I don't know whether I quite
understand what you mean."

"I mean, is it anybody's duty--yours or mine--to go to the man and find
him out; what he really thinks, what he really feels? I don't mean, make
an appeal to him. That would be unworthy of her. But perhaps he's
holding back from a mistaken feeling of delicacy, of remorse; when if he
could be made to see that it was his right, his privilege, to be
everything to her now that a man could be to a woman, and infinitely
more than any man could hope to be to a happy or fortunate woman--What
do you think? He could be reparation, protection, safety, everything!"

Wade shook his head. "It would be useless. Wilmington knows very well
that such a girl would never let him be anything to her now when he had
slighted her fancy for him before. Even if he were ever in love with
her, which I doubt, he couldn't do it."

"No, I suppose not," said Matt. After a little pause, he added, "Then I
must go myself."

"Go, yourself? What do you mean?" Wade asked.

"Some one must try to make them understand just how they are situated. I
don't think Louise did; I don't think she knew herself, how the legal
proceedings would affect them; and I think I'd better go and make it
perfectly clear."

"I can imagine it won't be pleasant," said Wade.

"No," said Matt, "I don't expect that. But I inferred, from what she
said to Louise, that she would be willing to see me, and I think I had
better go."

He put his conviction interrogatively, and Wade