that he regarded Alma's
proceedings with sullen disapproval; so he took the opportunity of
being alone with his hostess, and talked to her of the great venture
with all the good humour he could command. Mrs. Morton had seen two
notices of Alma's debut; both were so favourable that she imagined them
the augury of a brilliant career.

'I doubt that,' said Harvey; 'and I'm not sure that it's desirable. She
has made herself miserably ill, you see. Excitement is the worst
possible thing for her. And then there's the whole question of whether
professional life is right and good for a married woman. How do you
think about it?'

The lady instanced cases that naturally presented themselves. She
seemed to have no prejudice. Mrs. Rolfe appeared to her a person of
artistic temper; but health was of the first importance; and then----

Harvey waited; but only a thoughtful smile completed the remark.

'What other consideration had you in mind?'

'Only a commonplace--that a married woman would, of course, be guided
by her husband's wish.'

'You think that equivalent to reason and the will of God?' said Harvey
jocosely.

'If we need appeal to solemn sanction.'

Rolfe was reminded, not unpleasantly, that he spoke with a woman to
whom 'the will of God' was something more than a facetious phrase.

'I beg your pardon; let us say reason alone. But is it reasonable for
the artist to sacrifice herself because she happens to have married an
everyday man?'

Mrs. Morton shook her head and laughed.

'If only one know what is meant by the everyday man! My private view of
him is rather flattering, perhaps. I'm inclined to think him, on the
whole, not inferior to the everyday woman; and _she_--she isn't a bad
sort of creature, if fairly treated. I don't think the everyday man
will go very far wrong, as a rule, in the treatment of his wife.'

'You really believe that?' asked Harvey, with a serious smile.

'Why, is it such a heresy?'

'I should rather have thought so. One is so accustomed to hear the
other view I mean, it's in the air. Don't think I'm asking your
sympathy. I have always wished Alma to act on her own judgment; she has
been left quite free to do so. But if the results seem worse than
doubtful, then comes the difficulty.'

'To be settled, surely, like all other difficulties between sensible
people.'

Mrs. Morton's faith was of enviable simplicity. She knew, as a matter
of fact, that husbands and wives often found the