east still at their service.
"You think we might have survived that." A new thought of it seemed to
glimmer. "I'm bound to say Mitchy's marriage promises elements."

"You did it that night at Mrs. Grendon's." He spoke as if he had not
heard her. "It was a wonderful performance. You pulled us down--just
closing with each of the great columns in its turn--as Samson pulled
down the temple. I was at the time more or less bruised and buried
and didn't in the agitation and confusion fully understand what had
happened. But I understand now."

"Are you very sure?" Mrs. Brook earnestly asked.

"Well, I'm stupid compared with you, but you see I've taken my time.
I've puzzled it out. I've lain awake on it: all the more that I've had
to do it all myself--with the Mitchys in Italy and Greece. I've missed
his aid."

"You'll have it now," Mrs. Brook kindly said. "They're coming back."

"And when do they arrive?"

"Any day, I believe."

"Has he written you?"

"No," said Mrs. Brook--"there it is. That's just the way we've fallen to
pieces. But you'll of course have heard something."

"Never a word."

"Ah then it's complete."

Vanderbank thought a moment. "Not quite, is it?--I mean it won't be
altogether unless he hasn't written to Nanda."

"Then HAS he?"--she was keen again.

"Oh I'm assuming. Don't YOU know?"

"How should I?"

This too he turned over. "Just as a consequence of your having, at
Tishy's, so abruptly and wonderfully tackled the question that a few
days later, as I afterwards gathered, was to be crowned with a measure
of success not yet exhausted. Why, in other words--if it was to know
so little about her and to get no nearer to her--did you bring about
Nanda's return?"

There was a clear reason, her face said, if she could only remember it.
"Why did I--?" Then as catching a light: "Fancy your asking me--at this
time of day!"

"Ah you HAVE noticed that I haven't asked before? However," Van promptly
added, "I know well enough what you notice. Nanda hasn't mentioned to
you whether or no she has heard?"

"Absolutely not. But you don't suppose, I take it, that it was to pry
into her affairs I called her in."

Vanderbank, on this, lighted for the first time with a laugh. "'Called
her in'? How I like your expressions!"

"I do then, in spite of all," she eagerly asked, "remind you a little of
the bon temps? Ah," she sighed, "I don't say anything good now. But of
course I see Jane--though not so often ei