a short while
when they have interests in common."

"You and Peter have interests in common!" she exclaimed.

He appeared uneasy.

"We're both Harvard, you know."

"I see."

"Of course, I 've had to do more or less hedging on account--of Madame
Covington."

"I'm sorry, Monte."

"You need n't be, because it was she who introduced me to him. And, I
tell you, he's fine and big and worth while all through. But you know
that."

"Yes."

"That's why I 'm going to feel quite safe about leaving you with him."

She started. That word "safe" was like a stab with a penknife. She
would have rather had him strike her a full blow in the face than use
it. Yet, in its miserable fashion, it expressed all that he had sought
through her--all that she had allowed him to seek. From the first they
had each sought safety, because they did not dare face the big things.

Now, at the moment she was ready, the same weakness that she had
encouraged in him was helping take him away from her. And the pitiful
tragedy of it was that Peter was helping too, and then challenging her
to accept still graver dangers through him. It was a pitiful tangle,
and yet one that she must allow to continue.

"You mean he'll help you not to worry about me?"

"That's it," he nodded. "Because I've seen the man side of him, and
it's even finer than the side you see."

Her lips came together.

"There's no reason why you should feel responsibility for me even
without Peter," she protested.

She was seated in one of the wicker chairs, chin in hand. He stepped
toward her.

"You don't think I'd be cad enough to desert my wife actually?" he
demanded.

He seemed so much in earnest that for a second the color flushed the
chalk-white portions of her cheeks.

"Sit down, Monte," she pleaded. "I--I did n't expect you to take it
like that. I 'm afraid Peter is making you too serious. After all,
you know, I 'm of age. I 'm not a child."

He sat down, bending toward her.

"We've both acted more or less like children," he said gently. "Now I
guess the time has come for us to grow up. Peter will help you do
that."

"And you?"

"He has helped me already. And when he gets his eyes back--"

"You think there is a chance for that?"

"Just one chance," he answered.

"Oh!" she cried.

"It's a big opportunity," he said.

She rose and went to the window, where she looked out upon the gray
ocean and the slanting rain and a world grown dull a