er that things went to
pieces. He _wouldn't_ tell, and he _couldn't_ keep away! I'm not
defending Stanor. He's shown up pretty badly over this business.
He's been weak, and obstinate, and dishonourable. I don't delude
myself a mite, but, you see, Pixie, I love him! It's the real thing
with both of us this time, and that makes a mighty difference. I can
see his faults and feel sorry about them, but it don't make me love
him any the less; and if all my money were to pan out to-morrow he'd
be sorry, but he'd love me just the same. So there it was, Pixie--and
a wearing time I've had of it, fighting against his wishes--and my
own! In the end I decided to join some friends and come over to
Europe, and leave him to think things over by himself. Maybe I
guessed he'd follow and be forced to meet you. It's difficult to
understand one's own motives at these times. Anyway, before I knew
where I was he'd taken a berth in the same boat, and--here we are!

"Stanor says you have grown-up, and look different. You are both
different after these years apart, and, anyway, it was a mistake from
the beginning, Patricia, and wouldn't have worked out. Now, _we_ suit
each other, and the life we are going to lead will bring out the best
in us both! He seems to you pretty contemptible at this moment, but
there's so many sides to one human creature, and that is only one
side. He's got lots of others that are good and true--

"Yesterday I had an ordeal. I was introduced to the `Runkle.' Why
didn't I know he was like that? He was quite courteous--he couldn't
be anything else. But his eyes, (what eyes!) made arches at me, as if
to say, `He prefers _her_!' and I felt frozen stiff. Now I shan't
rest satisfied till that man's my friend, but it will take time--

"Pixie, we're going to be married quite soon--as soon as ever we can
fix up the necessary formalities, spend a honeymoon in Switzerland,
and get back to our work. I don't ask to see you--just at the moment
it would do no good, but couldn't you just manage to send me a line to
melt this stone in my heart? I'd be so happy if it wasn't there. But
it won't melt till I hear from you, that you understand, and you
forgive!

"Lovingly,--Honor."

Bridgie read and sighed, folded the sheet carefully, and sighed again.

"It's so _difficult_,"--she began.

"What is difficult?"

"To be as angry with people as yo