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a frankness that witnessed to a life that had taught one lesson at least； never on any occasion to waste time。 Maggie did not mindit amused her to see her terror of the night before transformed into a mere serenading crippled old gentleman； and to see； too； the excited pleasure with which Caroline accepted even such decayed attentions as these。 But what was it that had persuaded her last night？ Why did she now spend her time half in one world and half in another？ Which world was the real one？
Aunt Anne very soon joined them； and this quiet； composed figure only added to Maggie's scorn of her last night's terrors。 Was this the same who had struggled with such agony； who had made Maggie feel that she was caught in a trap and imprisoned for ever？
The sun beat hotly upon the carpet。 Caroline's rose…coloured silk shone and glowed； the tea was poured out； and there was chatter about the warm winter that it was and how time passed； and how fashions changed； and how you never saw a four…wheeler now； and what they were turning Kingsway into； and what they were turning the Law Courts out of； and even once； by Mr。 Crashaw； a word about the Lyceum Theatre； where some one was playing the Merchant of Venice； which was a fine play and could do no one any harm。
〃But I daresay；〃 said Mr。 Crashaw； 〃that this young lady here goes to nothing but plays every night of her life。〃
〃Why； Mr。 Crashaw；〃 said Caroline； tossing her head。 〃If that's the kind of life you fancy I lead you're completely mistaken。 Theatres indeed！ Never do I put so much as the tip of my nose inside one。 Father thinks they're wrong and so does Mother say she does； although I know she likes them； really； but any way that doesn't matter because I never have a moment to myselfsitting at home sewing； that's the way I spend my days； Mr。 Crashaw。〃
It was the very last way she really spent them； as Maggie perfectly well knew。 It is not to be supposed that Mr。 Crashaw either was deceived。 However； he gave a wicked wink with the eye that was least rheumatic and said something about 〃a beautiful young lady like Miss Smith wasted on sewing and darning；〃 and Caroline smiled and said something about 〃one day perhaps〃and Aunt Anne looked remotely benevolent。 What did she think of all this； Maggie wondered？ What did she think of her great preacher； her prophet； wasting the few hours of life that remained to him over such a business？ They had some secret understanding； perhaps； as though they said to one another； 〃We know； you and I； what are our real intentions beneath all this。 We only do what we must。〃
Understanding or no； Mr。 Crashaw sprang up with unexpected activity when Caroline departed and announced his intention of conducting her to her door。 He made his adieus and then hobbled along after the rose…coloured silk as though this was his last chance of warming his hands at the flame of life。
When they were gone； Aunt Anne said：
〃I am going back to bed； Maggie； dear。 Martha will send me up some supper later。 Elizabeth has gone to Lambeth to see a friend； so make yourself busy until seven； dear。 If I want anything I'll ring。〃
When she was left alone in the darkening room she stood there thinking。 Why should she not go out and find Martin？ She did not care what any one thought。 She would go to his house and ask for him。 She had waited and waited 。 。 。 She wanted him so； she wanted him so desperately！
Then Martha opened the door and announced him； yes； really announced him； saying： 〃It's young Mr。 Warlock； Miss； and he says if your aunts isn't in you'll do。〃
〃Ask him to come up； Martha；〃 said Maggie； and then held herself there； rooted； where she stood so that she should not run to him and fling her arms round his neck。 She felt at once with that quick perception that was hers； in spite of her ignorance of life； that this was no moment for love…making； and that he wanted something quite other from her。
He closed the door behind him； looked round the room； didn't come to her； but stayed where he was。
〃I've been trying to see you all day；〃 he said。 〃How long have we got alone do you think？〃 She never took her eyes from his face。 〃Until seven probably。 Aunt Elizabeth's in Lambeth and Aunt Anne's in bed。〃
〃That's luck。〃 He drew a breath of relief； then moved over to the fireplace。 〃Maggie； I've come to say we mustn't see one another any more。〃
Some one； some vast figure shadowy behind her； moved suddenly forward and caught her in his arms and his embrace was deadly cold。 She stood where she was； her hands at her side； looking steadfastly at him。
〃Why？〃 she said。 〃Becausebecausethe fact is； I've been wrong altogether。 Maggie； I'm not the sort of man for you to have anything to do with。 You don't know much about life yet； do you？ I'm about the first man you've ever met； aren't I？ If you'd met another man before me； you'd have cared for him as much。〃
She said nothing and he seemed to be confused by her steady gaze； because he looked down and continued to speak as though to himself：
〃I knew at once that there was danger in our meeting。 With other girls they can look after themselves。 One hasn't any responsibility to them。 It's their own affair； but you believe every word a fellow says。 And if we'd been friends it wouldn't have mattered； but from the very first we weren't thatwe were something more。〃
〃You were so different from any other girl。 I've wanted to be good to you from the beginning； but now I see that if we go on I shall only be bad。 It all comes in the end to my being badreally bad and I want you to know it。〃 〃I don't know；〃 said Maggie； 〃that I've thought very much whether you're good or bad。 And it doesn't matter。 I can look after myself。〃
〃No； you can't；〃 he said vehemently； making a step towards her and then suddenly stopping。 〃That's just ityou can't。 I've been thinking all the time since the other evening when we were together； and I've seen that you believe every word I say and you trust me。 I don't mean to tell liesI don't know that I'm worse than most other menbut I'm not good enough for you to trust in all the same。 I've been knocking about for years； and I suppose I've had most of my idealism knocked out of me。 Anyway I don't believe in most people； and you still do。 I'm not going to be the one to change you。〃
〃Perhaps I know more about life than you think；〃 said Maggie。
〃No； how can you？ You've never had a chance of seeing any of it。 You'd get sick of me in no time。 I'm moody and selfish and bad… tempered。 I used to drink a bit too。 And I can't be faithful to women。 I might think I was going to be faithful to you and swear I would beand then suddenly some one would come along。 I thought for a bit I'd just go on with you and see what came of it。 You're so unusual； you make me want to be straight with you； but I've seen it wouldn't be fair。 I must just slip out of your path and you'll forget me； and then you'll meet a much better man than I and be happy。 I'm queerI have funny moods that last for days and days sometimes。 I seem to do every one harm I come in touch with。 There's my father now。 I love him more than any one in the world； and yet I make him unhappy all the time。 I'm a bad fellow to be with〃
He stopped