appreciation. How many would you give for me? One, two, three?"

"More."

"Because you think love would repay you with compound interest," she
observed merrily.

He laughed.

And when love turns to laughter the danger is passed for the moment.




XV


Thus three weeks passed without apparent change in their relations.
Ernest possessed a personal magnetism that, always emanating from him,
was felt most deeply when withdrawn. He was at all times involuntarily
exerting his power, which she ever resisted, always on the alert, always
warding off.

When at last pressure of work made his immediate departure for New York
imperative, he had not apparently gained the least ground. But Ethel
knew in her heart that she was fascinated, if not in love. The personal
fascination was supplemented by a motherly feeling toward Ernest that,
sensuous in essence, was in itself not far removed from love. She
struggled bravely and with external success against her emotions, never
losing sight of the fact that twenty and thirty are fifty.