hat of my own generosity," replied he. "But my honor had to be
reassured. When I was satisfied that you were innocent, and simply
flighty and foolish, I came. If there had been any taint upon you, of
course I could not have taken you back. As it is, I am willing--I may
say, more than willing. Mrs. Baird can be bought off and frightened
off. When she finds you have me to protect you, she will move very
cautiously, you may be sure."

As the little man talked, Mildred saw and felt behind the mask the
thoughts, the longings of his physical infatuation for her coiling and
uncoiling and reaching tremulously out toward her like unclean,
horrible tentacles. She was drawn as far as could be back into her
chair, and her soul was shrinking within her body.

"I am willing to make you a proper allowance, and to give you all
proper freedom," he went on. He showed his sharp white teeth in a
gracious smile. "I realize I must concede something of my
old-fashioned ideas to the modern spirit. I never thought I would, but
I didn't appreciate how fond I was of you, my dear." He mumbled his
tongue and noiselessly smacked his thin lips. "Yes, you are worth
concessions and sacrifices."

"I am not going back," said Mildred. "Nothing you could offer me would
make any difference." She felt suddenly calm and strong. She stood.
"Please consider this final."

"But, my dear," said the general softly, though there was a wicked
gleam behind the mask, "you forget the scandal--"

"I forget nothing," interrupted she. "I shall not go back."

Before he could attempt further to detain her she opened the screen
door and entered. It closed on the spring and on the spring lock.

Donald Keith, coming in from the sea-front veranda, was just in time to
save her from falling. She pushed him fiercely away and sank down on
the sofa just within the pretty little drawing-room. She said:

"Thank you. I didn't mean to be rude. I was only angry with myself.
I'm getting to be one of those absurd females who blubber and keel
over."

"You're white and limp," said he. "What's the matter?"

"General Siddall is out there."

"Um--he's come back, has he?" said Keith.

"And I am afraid of him--horribly afraid of him."

"In some places and circumstances he would be a dangerous proposition,"
said Keith. "But not here in the East--and not to you."

"He would do ANYTHING. I don't know what he can do, but I am sure it
will be frightful--will des