, some silent but persistent rebellion at the very
centre of her heart prevented her complete happiness. What she really
felt was that half of her-the rebellious, questioning, passionate half
of her-was asleep, and that at all costs, whatever occurred, she must
keep it asleep. That was her real definite memory of her first
year-that, through it all, she was wilfully, deliberately drugged.

Every one thought Paul very strange that summer. Mr. Flaunders, the
curate, told Miss Purves that he was very "odd." "He was always the
most tranquil man-a sunny nature, as you know, Miss Purves. Well now, I
assure you, he's never the same from one minute to another. His temper
is most uncertain, and one never can tell of what he's thinking. You
know he took the Collects in the wrong order last Sunday, and last
night he read the wrong lesson. Two days ago he was quite angry with me
because I suggested another tune for 'Lead Kindly Light'-unlike
himself, unlike himself."

"To what do you attribute this, Mr. Flaunders?" said Miss Purves. "You
know our vicar so well."

"I'm sure I can't tell what it is," said Mr. Flaunders, sighing.

"Can it be his marriage?" said Miss Purves.

"I'm sure," said Mr. Flaunders, flushing, "that it can be nothing to do
with Mrs. Trenchard. That's a fine woman, Miss Purves, a fine woman."

"She seems a little strange," said Miss Purves. "Why doesn't she let
her hair grow? It's hardly Christian as it is."

"It's her health, I expect," said Mr. Flaunders.

Paul was very gentle and good to Maggie all that summer, better to her
than any human being had ever been before. She became very fond of him,
and yet it was not, apparently, her affection that he wanted. He seemed
to be for ever on the verge of asking her some question and then
checking himself. He was suddenly silent; she caught him looking at her
in odd, furtive ways.

He made love to her and then suddenly checked himself, going off,
leaving her alone. During these months she did everything she could for
him. She knew that she was not satisfying him, because she could give
him only affection and not love. But everything that he wanted her to
do she did. And they never, through all those summer months, had one
direct honest conversation. They were afraid.

She began to see, very clearly, his faults. His whole nature was easy,
genial, and, above all, lazy. He liked to be liked, and she Was often
astonished at the pleasure with which he received co