ould have told you the truth the night we
met. But it never occurred to me for an instant that I could love any
man again. I had done with all that years ago, and my intention was to
give my life and my fortune to certain problems in Europe which I shall
not bore you with here.

"Possibly if I had met you casually with Judge Trent, or if I had not
chosen to avoid my old friends and met you at one of their houses, as I
might easily have done, I should have made no mystery of myself; if
indeed you did not know the truth already.

"But not only the curious circumstances of our meeting after your weeks
of silent devotion, but your own personality, quickened to life a
flicker of youthful romance so long moribund that I had forgotten it
had ever been one of my lost inheritances. I was also both amused and
interested, and to play a little comedy with you was irresistible. It
did not occur to me for a moment that you would fall in love with me.

"It was not until the second time you came here after the theatre that
I realized what was happening in those submerged cells of mine. But I
could not make up my mind to tell you that night--nor the next. By
that time I was frightened. I feared there could be only one result.
I suppose all women are cowards when in love. But I knew that this
could not last, and when you asked me to sit in Mrs. Oglethorpe's box I
thought the time had come to precipitate matters. After a decisive
step like that I could not retreat. But I wish to tell you myself, and
for that reason I have asked you to discuss me with no one until we
meet. It will probably be the last time I shall see you, but I am
prepared for that.

"I shall see Jane Oglethorpe today. She has been very loyal and I
think she will forgive me. It would not matter much if she did not,
and possibly would save me a good deal of boredom, but after last night
an explanation is due her.

"And after Saturday night, _mon ami_, matters will be entirely in your
hands. You will realize whether you have merely been dazzled and
fascinated or whether there is really between us that mysterious bond
that no circumstances can alter. Such things have happened to men and
women if we may believe history, but I have had too good reason to
believe that it is not for me. However--at least for a brief time you
have given me back something of the hopes and illusions of youth. This
in itself is so astonishing that whatever the result I shall ne