that
Gordon went away for love of another woman. I hope she never hears of
it. Should anything happen to him, while driving his ambulance at the
front, she will be able to maintain a high regard for his memory. As the
months pass on, her feelings may become easier to bear. I wish she could
meet and become fond of some fine fellow, who would recognize what a
splendid woman she is and adore her ever after. I feel that she deserves
it.

When I returned upstairs, I found my two friends discussing Miss Van
Rossum, together with her nose and complexion and other appurtenances,
including her dress. Their criticisms were highly flattering, I
remember. Our stout friend soon left, having merely come in for her
daily inspection of Baby Paul.

"Now, David," said Frances, "I must say that I feel more unhappy than
ever over Mr. McGrath's conduct. It was abominable of him to jilt that
girl, let alone proposing to me. She's a perfectly lovely woman."

"I am disposed to agree with you, Frances. His conduct is inexcusable.
At the same time, I cannot blame him for falling in love with you. Any
properly constituted man would do that without the slightest difficulty.
I myself----"

"Please be serious, David," she interrupted.

"I was never more serious in my life," I assured her, "but--but tell me
how you are getting on with the singing."

"I really think I am doing very well," she told me. "Listen, I will sing
you a little thing. Baby likes it ever so much."

She sat right down to the piano, beginning at once without the
slightest hesitation. It was the lullaby from _Mignon_. I remember
hearing Plancon sing it once; it is a beautiful thing. Frances didn't
put all her force in it, the whole strength of her voice, of course, but
so much tender sentiment and such sweet understanding that the melody
held me in thrall and made me close my eyes. What a fool I have been
ever to have thought that a woman holding such a treasure would perhaps
bestow herself, some day, upon an insignificant writer!

CHAPTER XIX

FRANCES GOES TO THE COUNTRY

I am very fond of my room on the top floor of Mrs. Milliken's house,
but, as regards privacy, I might nearly as well have lodgings in a
corner grocery. I had finally arranged that Frances was to go to a hilly
part of New Jersey, near a very pretty lake, and gather health and a
coat of tan for herself and Baby Paul. I was to leave with her on the
one forty-five, in order to help her on the jou