'I know it is very annoying; and I, I assure you, receive my share. Every
look and word is misinterpreted. I must not stay here.'

'You must not go! I really want you. I assure you that your opinion will be
of value.'

'But think of Emily. It will make her wretched if she hears of it. You do
not know how it affects her. The slightest thing! You hardly see anything;
I see it all.'

'But there is no sense in it; it is pure madness. I'm writing a play,
trying to work out a most difficult problem, and am in want of an audience,
and I ask you if you will be kind enough to let me read you the act, and
you cannot listen to it because--because--yes, that's just it--because!'

'You do not know how she suffers. Let me go; spare her the pain.'

'She is not the only one who suffers. Do you think that I don't suffer?
I've set my heart--my very life is set on this play. I must get through
with it; they are all waiting for it. My enemies say I cannot write it, but
I shall if you will help me.'

[Illustration: "Sometimes, in an exciting passage, the hands were
clasped."]

'Poor Emily's heart is equally broken. Her life is equally set----' Mrs.
Bentley did not finish. Hubert just caught the words. Their significance
struck him; he looked questioningly into Mrs. Bentley's eyes; then,
pretending not to have understood, he begged her to remain. With the air of