Lee had merely whiled the hours away more pleasantly
because of my love. I felt tempted to denounce him but I thought that
would afford him additional amusement and make me not a whit less
miserable. I was eager to get away from him. I desired but one little
moment alone with him to satisfy myself that I did not judge him
unjustly. Fortunately he came to the sitting-room as I sat there staring
at the page of a magazine.

"Alone?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Phoebe"--he drew nearer and I rose and stood away from him. "My
Bluebird! You look unhappy. Are you still shocked at the smoking and
drinking you saw last night? It's all in the game, you know. Why not be
happy along with the rest of us, why be a prude?"

I shivered. Couldn't he know why I was unhappy! How false and fickle he
was! I wouldn't wear my heart on my sleeve for him to read and laugh
about. All my Metz determination rose in me.

"Why," I lied, "I'm not unhappy. I'm just tired. Late hours don't agree
with me."

He stretched out his arm but I eluded him. "Don't," I said lightly;
"we've been foolish long enough."

"Why"--he looked at me keenly. But I was determined he should not read
my feelings. I smiled in spite of my contempt for him. "Why, Phoebe," he
said tenderly, "what has changed you? Why shouldn't I kiss you when I
love you? Love never hurt any one."

"No--but----"

"But what?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing," I said, stepping farther away from him. "I'm in a hurry
this morning. Good-bye." And for the first time I saw a look of chagrin
mar the handsome face of Royal Lee. Before he could recover his
customary equanimity I was gone from the house.

I walked, caring not where the way led. My brain was in a whirl. I felt
as though I were fleeing from a crumbling precipice. In a flash I
understood Virginia's tactful attempts at warning. She had tried to make
me understand but my head was too easily turned by the fine speeches and
flattering attentions of the musician. I have been vain and foolish but
I've had my lesson. It still hurts and yet I can see the value of it.
I'll be better qualified after this to discriminate between the false
and true.

I am going home to-day! It came to me suddenly as I went back to my
boarding-house after my long walk. I promised David I'd come home for
arbutus and the inspiration came to go home for the whole spring and
summer. I'll write a note to Mr. Krause and one to Virginia. Dear
Virginia, she has been so good to me a