e out as a missionary."

"I don't pretend to compare myself with such a woman; but I should have
no more right to give up," she answered, helpless against the logic of
her fate, which he had somehow divined.

"Well, then, listen to me. I can give you this chance. Are you satisfied
that with my advice you could have succeeded in Mrs. Maynard's case?"

"Yes, I think so. But what"--

"I think so, too. Don't rise!"

His will overcame the impulse that had betrayed itself, and she sank
back to her seat. "I offer you my advice from this time forward; I offer
you my help."

"That is very good of you," she murmured; "and I appreciate your
generosity more than I can say. I know the prejudice you must have
had to overcome in regard to women physicians before you could bring
yourself to do this; and I know how you must have despised me for
failing in my attempt, and giving myself up to my feeble temperament.
But"--

"Oh, we won't speak of all that," he interrupted. "Of course I felt the
prejudice against women entering the profession which we all feel; it
was ridiculous and disgusting to me till I saw you. I won't urge you
from any personal motive to accept my offer. But I know that if you do
you can realize all your hopes of usefulness; and I ask you to consider
that certainly. But you know the only way it could be done."

She looked him in the eyes, with dismay in her growing intelligence.

"What--what do you mean?"

"I mean that I ask you to let me help you carry out your plan of life,
and to save all you have done, and all you have hoped, from waste--as
your husband. Think"--

She struggled to her feet as if he were opposing a palpable resistance,
so strongly she felt the pressure of his will. "It can't be, Dr.
Mulbridge. Oh, it can't, indeed! Let us go back; I wish to go back!"

But he had planted himself in her way, and blocked her advance, unless
she chose to make it a flight.

"I expected this," he said, with a smile, as if her wild trepidation
interested him as an anticipated symptom. "The whole idea is new and
startling to you. But I know you won't dismiss it abruptly, and I won't
be discouraged."

"Yes, yes, you must! I will not think of it! I can't! I do dismiss it at
once. Let me go!"

"Then you really choose to be like the rest,--a thing of hysterical
impulses, without conscience or reason! I supposed the weakest woman
would be equal to an offer of marriage. And you had dreamt of being a
physician