assent it's because I've taken the full measure of what happened at my
studio. It took but a few moments--but she tasted of the tree."

My companion wondered. "Nina?"

"Mrs. Brash." And to have to put it so ministered, while I took yet
another turn, to a sort of agitation. Our attitude was a responsibility.

But I had suggested something else to my friend, who appeared for a
moment detached. "Should you say she'll hate her worse if she _doesn't_
see?"

"Lady Beldonald? Doesn't see what we see, you mean, than if she does? Ah
I give _that_ up!" I laughed. "But what I can tell you is why I hold
that, as I said just now, we can do most. We can do this: we can give to
a harmless and sensitive creature hitherto practically disinherited--and
give with an unexpectedness that will immensely add to its price--the
pure joy of a deep draught of the very pride of life, of an acclaimed
personal triumph in our superior sophisticated world."

Mrs. Munden had a glow of response for my sudden eloquence. Oh it will
be beautiful!




CHAPTER V


Well, that's what, on the whole and in spite of everything, it really