omes through failure to have a clear understanding
about money matters."

Susan nodded. Said she thoughtfully, "I guess that's why I
came--one of the main reasons. You are wonderfully sensible
and decent about money."

"And the other chap isn't?"

"Oh, yes--and no. He likes to make a woman feel dependent.
He thinks--but that doesn't matter. He's all right."

"Now--for our understanding with each other," said Palmer.
"You can have whatever you want. The other day you said you
wanted some sort of a salary. But if you've changed----"

"No--that's what I want."

"So much a year?"

"So much a week," replied she. "I want to feel, and I want
you to feel, that we can call it off at any time on seven
days' notice."

"But that isn't what I want," said he--and she, watching him
closely if furtively, saw the strong lines deepen round his mouth.

She hesitated. She was seeing the old woman's dance hall, was
hearing the piano as the hunchback played and the old horrors
reeled about, making their palsy rhythmic. She was seeing
this, yet she dared. "Then you don't want me," said she, so
quietly that he could not have suspected her agitation. Never
had her habit of concealing her emotion been so useful to her.

He sat frowning at his glass--debating. Finally he said:

"I explained the other day what I was aiming for. Such an
arrangement as you suggest wouldn't help. You see that?"

"It's all I can do--at present," replied she firmly. And she
was now ready to stand or fall by that decision. She had
always accepted the other previous terms--or whatever terms
fate offered. Result--each time, disaster. She must make no
more fatal blunders. This time, her own terms or not at all.

He was silent a long time. She knew she had convinced him
that her terms were final. So, his delay could only mean that
he was debating whether to accept or to go his way and leave
her to go hers. At last he laughed and said:

"You've become a true New Yorker. You know how to drive a
hard bargain." He looked at her admiringly. "You certainly
have got courage. I happen to know a lot about your affairs.
I've ways of finding out things. And I know you'd not be here
if you hadn't broken with the other fellow first. So, if I
turned your proposition down you'd be up against it--wouldn't you?"

"Yes," said she. "But--I won't in any circumstances tie
myself. I must be free."

"You're right," said he. "And I'll risk your