r 'Didn't I tell you so?'

"Whilst in a confessing mood, I will admit that I had formed rather a
different idea of Cecily; I was disposed to think of her as the modern
woman who has put unreasoning passion under her feet, and therefore
this revelation was at first a little annoying to me. But I see now
that my view of her failed by incompleteness. The modern woman need by
no means be a mere embodied intellect; she will choose to enjoy as well
as to understand, and to enjoy greatly she will sacrifice all sorts of
things that women have regarded as supremely important. Indeed, I
cannot say that I am disappointed in Cecily; rightly seen, she has
justified the system on which I educated her. My object was to teach
her to think for herself, to be self-reliant. The _jeune fille_,
according to society's pattern, is my abhorrence: an ignorant,
deceitful, vain, immoral creature. Cecily is as unlike that as
possible; she has behaved independently and with sincerity. I really
admire her very much, and hope that her life may not fall below its
beginning.

"Let me hear as soon as a word reaches you. I am with charming people,
and yet I think longingly of the delightful evenings at Villa
Sannazaro, your music and your talk. You and your husband have a great
place in my heart; you are of the salt of the earth. Spare me a little
affection, for I am again a lonely woman."

This letter also was discussed, and its philosophy appreciated. Mallard
spoke little; he had clasped his hands behind his head, and listened
musingly.

There was no effusion in the leave-taking, though it might be for a
long time. Warm clasping of hands, but little said.

"A good-bye for me to Mrs. Baske," was Mallard's last word.

And his haggard but composed face turned from Villa Sannazaro.

PART II.

CHAPTER I

A CORNER OF SOCIETY

In a London drawing-room, where the murmur of urbane colloquy rose and
fell, broken occasionally by the voice of the nomenclator announcing
new arrivals, two ladies, seated in a recess, were exchanging
confidences. One was a novelist of more ability than repute; the other
was a weekly authority on musical performances.

"Her head is getting turned, poor girl. I feel sorry for her."

"Such ridiculous flattery! And really it is difficult to understand.
She is pretty, and speaks French; neither the one thing nor the other
is uncommon, I believe. Do you see anything remarkable in her?"

"Well, she is rather