to lift up another first steps down. And never had her sympathy gone
out so quickly to any mortal. Elsa had a horror of loneliness, and
this man seemed to be the living presentment of the word. What
struggles, and how simply he recounted them! What things he had seen,
what adventures had befallen him, what romance and mystery! She
wondered if there had been a woman in his life and if she had been the
cause of his downfall. Every day of the past ten years lay open for
her to admire or condemn, but beyond these ten years there was a
Chinese Wall, over which she might not look. Only once had she
provoked the silent negative nod of his head. He was strong. Not the
smallest corner of the veil was she permitted to turn aside. She
walked hither and thither along the scarps and bastions of the barrier,
but never found the breach.

"Will you come and dine with me to-night?" she asked, as they left the
boat.

"No, Miss Innocence."

"That's silly. There isn't a soul I know here."

"But," gravely he replied, "there are many here who know me."

"Which infers that my invitation is unwise?"

"Absolutely unwise."

"Tea?"

"Frankly, I ought not to be seen with you."