He opened the screen door for Mildred to
pass in. He followed her, and the door closed behind them. They went
into the drawing-room. He dropped into an easy chair, crossed his
legs, leaned his head back indolently--a favorite attitude of his.

"How long have you known?" said she. Her cheeks were flushed with
excitement.

"Oh, a good many years," replied he. "It was one of those accidental
bits of information a man runs across in knocking about. As soon as
Baird told me about you, I had the thing looked up, quietly. I was
going up to see him to-morrow--about the negroes and Mrs. Baird's suit."

"Does Stanley know?" inquired she.

"No," said Keith. "Not necessary. Never will be. If you like, you
can have the marriage annulled without notoriety. But that's not
necessary, either."

After a long silence, she said: "What does this make out of me?"

"You mean, what would be thought of you, if it were known?" inquired
he. "Well, it probably wouldn't improve your social position."

"I am disgraced," said she, curiously rather than emotionally.

"Would be, if it were known," corrected he, "and if you are nothing but
a woman without money looking for a husband. If you happened to be a
singer or an actress, it would add to your reputation--make you more
talked about."

"But I am not an actress or a singer."

"On the other hand, I should say you didn't amount to much socially.
Except in Hanging Rock, of course--if there is still a Hanging Rock.
Don't worry about your reputation. Fussing and fretting about your
social position doesn't help toward a career."

"Naturally, you take it coolly. But you can hardly expect me to,"
cried she.

"You are taking it coolly," said he. "Then why try to work yourself up
into a fit of hysterics? The thing is of no importance--except that
you're free now--will never be bothered by Siddall again. You ought to
thank me, and forget it. Don't be one of the little people who are
forever agitating about trifles."

Trifles! To speak of such things as trifles! And yet-- Well, what
did they actually amount to in her life? "Yes, I AM free," she said
thoughtfully. "I've got what I wanted--got it in the easiest way
possible."

"That's better," said he approvingly.

"And I've burnt my bridges behind me," pursued she. "There's nothing
for me now but to go ahead."

"Which road?" inquired he carelessly.

"The career," cried she. "There's no other for me. Of course I C