"Impossible to say. But I have advised her as strongly as I could
not to marry until she knows her own mind better. It is too bad of
her to have gone so far. The poor man had taken rooms, and all but
furnished them. Patty's a silly girl, I'm afraid."

"Wants a strong man to take her in hand--like a good many other
girls."

Eve paid no attention to the smile.

"Paris spoilt her for such a man as Mr. Dally. She got all sorts of
new ideas, and can't settle down to the things that satisfied her
before. It isn't nice to think that perhaps we did her a great deal
of harm."

"Nonsense! Nobody was ever harmed by healthy enjoyment."

"Was it healthy--for _her_? That's the question."

Hilliard mused, and felt disinclined to discuss the matter.

"That isn't the only news I have for you," said Eve presently. "I've
had another letter."

Her voice arrested Hilliard's step as he paced near her.

"I had rather not have told you anything about it, but I promised.
And I have to give you something."