she's
lost her Rupert by her own faults, and it serves her right."

"And suppose Rupert goes teaching English to an Italian girl at Venice,
or gives her history lessons, or anything? Now he's once thought of
marrying, he may marry his third pupil. Wouldn't Charlie have a chance
then?"

"Never, unfortunately," Bertha replied.

"Do you think she'd wait on the chance that Rupert might have a
divorce?"

"Nigel, how horrid you are to sneer like that. You never appreciated
Madeline!"

"I think I did, my dear, considering I was especially keen on her
marrying my brother, even when I knew she liked somebody else."

"Oh, that was only for him."

"Or, perhaps, do you think a little for me? I might have felt if my
brother married your greatest friend that we were sort of relations," he
said, with a laugh.

Bertha glanced at the clock.

"You can't send me away just this minute," he said. "You like honesty
and frankness, and I've honestly come to ask you--are you coming to my
party?"

Bertha paused a moment.

"Why?" she said. "Do you very particularly want me to?"

"Very. And I'll tell you the reason. It's to please Mary."

"Why should Mary care?"

"Bertha, I give you my word that she'll be terribly disappointed and
offended if you don't. And"--he waited a moment--"I hardly know how to
explain--it'll do me harm if you don't come--you and Percy. I can't
exactly explain. Do me this good turn, Bertha. A special favour, won't
you?"

He was artfully trying to suggest what he supposed to be the exact
contrary to the fact. He knew Mary would be wild with joy if Bertha did
not come, though he had no idea how extremely astonished and furious she
would be if she should arrive, considering she had accepted. Of course
in reality Mary thought nothing of the acceptance. She was both certain
and determined that her "door would not be darkened" by Bertha's
presence.

Bertha had not intended to go since she saw Percy's pleasure and relief
at the cessation of the intimacy. But now? After all, Percy couldn't
mind going in with her for a few minutes if she begged him.

"If you tell me it'll do you a good turn, Nigel--but I don't
understand!"

"Do you wish me to explain?"

"No, I don't. I'll take your word. But all the more I don't want you to
be always calling. I'm afraid Mary doesn't like me."

"It isn't that exactly."

Bertha thought of her own happiness with Percy. Her warm, kind heart
made her say gently:

"Nigel,