e poor party, and our rich
men are few and far between.

"You may say that you would help him, and that your own money
would be at his disposal. But could a man live upon his wife,
in such circumstances, with any self-respect? Of course, I
know that you are very young, and I trust that your views on
many subjects, social and political, will change, and change
materially, before long. It is a serious thing for women
nowadays to throw themselves across the path of progress. At
the same time I see that you have a strong--if I may say
so--a vehement character. It may not be easy for you to cast
off at once what, I understand, has been your father's
influence. And meanwhile Oliver would be fighting all your
father's and your ideas--largely on your money; for he has
only a thousand a year of his own.

"Please let me assure you that I am not influenced by my
mother's views. She attaches importance--an exaggerated--if
she were not my mother, I should say an absurd--importance,
to the family. Whereas, ideas--the great possibilities of the
future--when free men and women shall lead a free and noble
life--these are what influence _me_--these are what I
live for.

"It will cause you both pain to separate. I know that. But
summon a rational will to your aid, and you will soon see
that passion is a poor thing compared to impersonal and
unselfish aims. The cause of women--their political and
social enfranchisement--the freeing of men from the curse of
militarism--of both men and women from the patriotic lies
which make us bullies and cowards--it is to these I would
invite you--when you have overcome a mere personal grief.

"I fear I shall seem to you a voice crying in the wilderness;
but I write in Oliver's interest--and your own.

"Yours sincerely,

"ISABEL FOTHERINGHAM.

"P.S. Our secretary, Mrs. Derrick Smith, at the Mary
Wollstonecraft Club, will always be glad to send you any
literature you might require."

Diana read to the end. She put it down with something like a smile. As
she paced the room, her head thrown back, her hands behind her, the
weight had been lifted from her; she breathed from a freer breast.

Very soon she went back to her desk and began to write.

"My dear Oliver,--I did not realize how things were when you
ca