to stand by it, and you would be convinced. I can't find words to
describe my objection to your state of mind.'

The thing seemed to me to be a foregone conclusion. I saw it
accomplished, with all its possibilities of disastrous commonplace.
I saw all that I have here taken the trouble to foreshadow. So far
as I was concerned, Dacres's burden would add itself to my
philosophies, voila tout. I should always be a little uncomfortable
about it, because it had been taken from my back; but it would not
be a matter for the wringing of hands. And yet--the hatefulness of
the mistake! Dacres's bold talk of a test made no suggestion.
Should my invention be more fertile? I thought of something.

'You have said nothing to her yet?' I asked.

'Nothing. I don't think she suspects for a moment. She treats me
as if no such fell design were possible. I'm none too confident,
you know,' he added, with longer face.

'We go straight to Agra. Could you come to Agra?'

'Ideal!' he cried. 'The memory of Mumtaz! The garden of the Taj!
I've always wanted to love under the same moon as Shah Jehan. How
thoughtful of you!'

'You must spend a few days with us in Agra,' I continued. 'And as
you say, it is the very place to shrine your happiness, if it comes
to pass there.'

'Well, I am glad to have extracted a word of kindness from you at