candles on the mantelpiece as if he were embarrassed. As Adela, who
had dropped into his armchair, continued to sob, he said after a
moment: "He oughtn't to--he oughtn't to."

"Oh think of mamma--think of mamma!" she wailed almost louder than
was safe.

"Yes, he ought to think of mamma." With which Godfrey looked at the
tip of his cigarette.

"To such a woman as that--after HER!"

"Dear old mamma!" said Godfrey while he smoked.

Adela rose again, drying her eyes. "It's like an insult to her; it's
as if he denied her." Now that she spoke of it she felt herself rise
to a height. "He rubs out at a stroke all the years of their
happiness."

"They were awfully happy," Godfrey agreed.

"Think what she was--think how no one else will ever again be like
her!" the girl went on.

"I suppose he's not very happy now," her brother vaguely contributed.

"Of course he isn't, any more than you and I are; and it's dreadful
of him to want to be."

"Well, don't make yourself miserable till you're sure," the young man