'I don't think they would MISunderstand,' replied this astonishing
girl, without flinching. She even sought my eyes to show me that
hers were clear and full of purpose.

'Good God!' I said to myself, but the words that fell from me were,
'He is outside all that life.'

'What is the use of living a life that he is outside of?'

'Oh, if you put it that way,' I said, and set my teeth, 'I will do
what I can.'

She held out her hand with an affectionate gesture, and I was
reluctantly compelled to press it.

The horses broke into a trot, and we talked no more of Armour, or of
anything, until Ted Harris joined us on the Mall.

I have rendered this conversation with Dora in detail because
subsequent events depend so closely upon it. Some may not agree
that it was basis enough for the action I thought well to take; I
can only say that it was all I was ever able to obtain. Dora was
always particularly civil and grateful about my efforts, but she
gave me only one more glimpse, and that enigmatic, of any special
reason why they should be made. Perhaps this was more than
compensated for by the abounding views I had of the situation as it
lay with Ingersoll Armour, but of that, other persons, approaching
the subject without prejudice, will doubtless judge better than I.