d he been dropping in as he had formerly done, she might
have prevented things from going so far, and certainly have been of use
in hindering them from growing worse; for, with Louise, one was never
sure. And so she determined to write to him, without delay. In this,
though, she was piqued as well by a violent curiosity. Louise said to
have given up a good match for his sake! xxx she could not believe it.
It was incredible that she could care for him as he cared for her.
Madeleine knew them both too well; Maurice was not the type of man by
whom Louise was attracted.

She wrote in a guarded way.

IT SEEMS ABSURD THAT OLD FRIENDS SHOULD BEHAVE AS WE ARE DOING. IF
ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED WAS MY FAULT, FORGIVE IT, AND SHOW ME YOU DON'T
BEAR ME A GRUDGE, BY COMING TO SEE ME TO-MORROW AFTERNOON.

They had not met for close on four months, and, for the first few
minutes after his arrival, Madeleine was confused by the change that
had taken place in Maurice. It was not only that he was paler and
thinner than of old: his boyish manner had deserted him; and, when he
forgot himself, his eyes had a strange, brooding expression.

"Other-worldly ... almost," thought Madeleine; and, in order to
surmount an awkwardness she had been resolved not to feel, she talked
glibly. Maurice said he could not stay long, and wished to keep his hat
in his hand; but before he knew it, he was sitting in his accustomed
place on the sofa.

As they stirred their tea, she told him how annoyed she had felt at
having recently had a performance postponed in favour of Avery Hill:
and how the latter was said to be going crazy, with belief in her own
genius. Maurice seemed to be in the dark about what was happening, and
made no attempt to hide his ignorance. She could see, too, that he was
not interested in these things; he played with a tassel of the sofa,
and did not notice when she stopped speaking.

It is his turn now, she said to herself, and left the silence that
followed unbroken. Before it had lasted long, however, he looked up
from his employment of twisting the tassel as far round as it would go,
and then letting it fly back. "I say, Madeleine, now I'm here, there's
something I should like to ask you. I hope, though, you won't think it
impertinence on my part." He cleared his throat. "Once or twice lately
I've heard a report about you--several times, indeed. I didn't pay any
attention to it--not till a few days back, that is--when I saw it--or
t