t least on my part. Other people had no right to promise for either of
us--and--and, in fact, the present is a good opportunity to end it.'

'To end it,' echoed he, in intense bitterness; 'to end it?'

'And I should like to have my letters,' said she calmly, while she took
some freshly plucked flowers from a basket on her arm, and appeared to seek
for something at the bottom of the basket.

'I thought you would come down here, Cecil,' said she, 'when you had spoken
to my uncle. Indeed, I was sure you would, and so I brought these with me.'
And she drew forth a somewhat thick bundle of notes and letters tied with a
narrow ribbon. 'These are yours,' said she, handing them.

Far more piqued by her cold self-possession than really wounded in feeling,
he took the packet without a word; at last he said, 'This is your own
wish--your own, unprompted by others?'

She stared almost insolently at him for answer.

'I mean, Maude--oh, forgive me if I utter that dear name once more--I mean
there has been no influence used to make you treat me thus?'

'You have known me to very little purpose all these years, Cecil Walpole,
to ask me such a question.'

'I am not sure of that. I know too well what misrepresentation and calumny
can do anywhere; and I have been involved in certain difficulties which, if
not explained away, might be made accusations--grave accusations.'

'I make none--I listen to none.'

'I have become an object of complete indifference, then? You feel no
interest in me either way. If I dared, Maude. I should like to ask the date
of this change--when it began?'

'I don't well know what you mean. There was not, so far as I am aware,
anything between us, except a certain esteem and respect, of which
convenience was to make something more. Now convenience has broken faith
with us, but we are not the less very good friends--excellent friends if
you like.'

'Excellent friends! I could swear to the friendship!' said he, with a
malicious energy.

'So at least I mean to be,' said she calmly.

'I hope it is not I shall fail in the compact. And now, will my quality of
friend entitle me to ask one question, Maude?'

'I am not sure till I hear it.'

'I might have hoped a better opinion of my discretion; at all events, I
will risk my question. What I would ask is, how far Joseph Atlee is mixed
up with your judgment of me? Will you tell me this?'

'I will only tell you, sir, that you are over-vain of that discretion