out the problem of human morals. It had not
occurred to him that the morals which have no conscious basis are likely
to be more sound and permanent than those which are consciously built
up; and, as a matter of fact, his own were of that kind, though he had
his rule and considered himself to be guided by it. "That which gives no
pain to another, and does not deteriorate another, or oneself, or any
sentient being, cannot be immoral, though circumstances may make it
inexpedient." He had written that sentence in his diary before he was
twenty, at an age when the expanding soul craves for talismans and
golden maxims, and he had clung to it ever since. For what violation of
the law did he suffer now?

This was not Lettice's way of looking at it. The hero of her story was
an urn in the hands of a divine artist, and a sterner stress was
necessary for the consummate work. But he, Alan, was no hero. Horace'
verse was nearer the mark with him.

Amphorae coepit
Institui; currente rota cur urceus exit?

As water to wine were all the uses of his life henceforth, compared with
that which might have been.

But, sad as he was, if Lettice could have read within his heart she
would have been satisfied with her work.

CHAPTER XXIII.

"AM I A MURDERER?"

Footsteps outside his door roused Alan from his train of thoughts. Only
his landlady came along that passage, for there were no lodgers on the
same floor, nor on the one above it. A louder knock than Mrs. Gorman was
wont to give made him start from his seat.

"Come in!" he cried; but before the words were spoken the door was
thrown open and Cora made her appearance. Alan turned sick at heart, and
stood leaning on the end of the mantelpiece, gazing at her without a
word.

"Ah, my dear," she said, with a little laugh of amusement as she saw the
disconcerted look on his face, "they have not deceived me! They did not
offer to conduct me, but they said I should find you here--first floor
front--and here you are! It is long since we met, is it not? You have
sent huissiers, and gendarmes, and police to bring me your messages, as
a king to his subject, or a judge to a criminal. You should have come
yourself, my friend, for I have longed to see you. Are you not glad that
we meet thus, alone, face to face, without fear of intrusion?"

She had shut the door behind her, and sat down in his easy chair by the
table, inviting him with a gesture to take a sea