dden flash of illumination she saw him as
he was, weak and irresolute, helpless in the grip of a stronger man. It
was significant that she felt no compassion for him, but only disgust and
contempt. She was no coward, and even Jim, who could so easily be
deluded, was ready enough to fight on due occasion.

"You are afraid of the fellow!" she exclaimed.

Gladwyne colored and moved abruptly. He had imagined that she was his for
the asking, but there was no mistaking her cutting scorn.

"Bella," he pleaded, "don't be bitter. You can't understand the
difficulties I'm confronted with."

"I can understand too much!" Her voice trembled, but she rose, rather
white in face, with an air of decision. "When I came I expected--but
after all that doesn't matter--I never expected this!"

He made no answer; the man had some little pride and there was nothing to
be said. He had fallen very low even in this girl's estimation and the
fact was almost intolerably galling, but he could make no effective
defense. She went from him slowly, but with a suggestive deliberation,
without looking back, and there was a hint of finality in the way she
closed the door.

Once outside, she strove to brace herself, for the interview had tried
her hard. She had had to choose between Gladwyne and her brother, but for
that she was now almost thankful. The man she had admired had changed and
become contemptible. It was as if he had suddenly collapsed and shriveled
before her startled eyes. But that was not all the trouble--she was as
far from saving Jim as ever.

It cost her an effort to rejoin the others, but she was equal to it and
during the rest of her stay her conversation was a shade more audacious
than usual.

CHAPTER XVI

GLADWYNE SURRENDERS

Evening was drawing on when Bella strolled aimlessly down the ascending
road that led to Marple's residence. On one hand of the road there was a
deep rift, filled with shadow, in which a beck murmured among the stones,
and the oaks that climbed to the ridge above flung their great branches
against the saffron glow in the western sky. Fallen leaves, glowing brown
and red, had gathered thick beneath one hedgerow and more came slowly
sailing down; but Bella brushed through them unheeding, oblivious to her
surroundings. She had suffered during the few days that had followed her
interview with Gladwyne and even the sharp encounter with Miss Marple in
which she had recently indulged had not cheered h