that offers now. Doctor Charlton, I'm in
desperate, deadly earnest. And I ask you to help me."

"My own terms?"

"I give you my word."

"You'll have to give your money outright. No strings attached. No
chance to be a philanthropist. Also, you'll have to work--have to
educate yourself as I instruct you."

"Yes--yes. Whatever you say."

Charlton looked at her dubiously. "I'm a fool to have anything to do
with this," he said. "You aren't in any way a suitable person--any
more than I'm the sort of man you want to assist you in your schemes.
You don't realize what tests you're to be put through."

"I don't care," said Jane.

"It's a chance to try my theory," mused he. "You know, I insist we are
all absolutely the creatures of circumstance--that character adapts
itself to circumstance--that to change a man or a town or a nation--or
a world--you have only to change their fundamental circumstances."

"You'll try me?"

"I'll think about it," said Charlton. "I'll talk with Victor Dorn
about it."

"Whatever you do, don't talk to him," cried Jane, in terror. "He has no
faith in me--" She checked herself, hastily added--"in anybody outside
his own class."

"I never do anything serious without consulting Victor," said Charlton
firmly. "He's got the best mind of any one I know, and it is foolish
to act without taking counsel of the best."

"He'll advise against it," said Jane bitterly.

"But I may not take his advice literally," said Charlton. "I'm not in
mental slavery to him. I often adapt his advice to my needs instead of
adopting it outright."

And with that she had to be content.

She passed a day and night of restlessness, and called him on the
telephone early the following morning. As she heard his voice she said:

"Did you see Victor Dorn last night?"

"Where are you?" asked Charlton.

"In my room," was her impatient answer.

"In bed?"

"I haven't gotten up yet," said she. "What IS the matter?"

"Had your breakfast?"

"No. I've rung for it. It'll be here in a few minutes."

"I thought so," said Charlton.

"This is very mysterious--or very absurd," said Jane.

"Please ring off and call your kitchen and tell them to put your
breakfast on the dining-room table for you in three-quarters of an
hour. Then get up, take your bath and your exercises--dress yourself
for the day--and go down and eat your breakfast. How can you hope to
amount to anything unless you live by a rational sys