the heart-break in the disguise of pride.

This was like Billy in all ways. Billy, had she lived in the days of
the Christian martyrs, would have been the first to walk with head erect
into the Arena of Sacrifice. The arena now was just everyday living, the
lions were her own devouring misery, and the cause was Bertram's best
good.

From Bertram's own self she had it now--that she had been the cause of
his being troubled; so she could doubt no longer. The only part that was
uncertain was the reason why he had been troubled. Whether his bond to
her had become irksome because of his love for another, or because of
his love for no girl--except to paint, Billy did not know. But that it
was irksome she did not doubt now. Besides, as if she were going to slay
his Art, stifle his Ambition, destroy his Inspiration, and be a nuisance
generally just so that _she_ might be happy! Indeed, no! Hence she broke
the engagement.

This was the letter:

"DEAR BERTRAM:--You won't make the
move, so I must. I knew, from the way you spoke
to-day, that it _was_ about me that you were
troubled, even though you generously tried to
make me think it was not. And so the picture did
not go well.

"Now, dear, we have not been happy together
lately. You have seen it; so have I. I fear our
engagement was a mistake, so I'm going to send
back your ring to-morrow, and I'm writing this
letter to-night. Please don't try to see me just
yet. You _know_ what I am doing is best--all
round.
"Always your friend,
"BILLY."

CHAPTER XXXI. FLIGHT

Billy feared if she did not mail the letter at once she would not have
the courage to mail it at all. So she slipped down-stairs very quietly
and went herself to the post box a little way down the street; then she
came back and sobbed herself to sleep--though not until after she had
sobbed awake for long hours of wretchedness.

When she awoke in the morning, heavy-eyed and unrested, there came to
her first the vague horror of some shadow hanging over her, then the
sickening consciousness of what that shadow was. For one wild minute
Billy felt that she must run to the telephone, summon Bertram, and
beseech him to return unread the letter he would receive from her that
day. Then there came to her the memory of Bertram's face as it had
looked the night before when she had asked him if she were the cau