rather make experiments for some one else than for myself. I can
use the results later; they will help me to make money."

She laughed softly and wiped the tears out of her eyes. They
were really very beautiful eyes notwithstanding the dark rims
encircling them.

"If only I had met you before!" she murmured.

"Why?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"Don't ask me," she begged. "It would not be good for your
conceit, if you have any, to tell you."

"I have no conceit and I am not inquisitive," he said, "but I do
not see why you laughed."

Their period of waiting came to an end at this point. The fish
was brought and their conversation became disjointed. In the
silence which followed, the old shadow crept over her face. Once
only it lifted. It was while they were waiting for the cutlets.
She leaned towards him, her elbows upon the tablecloth, her face
supported by her fingers.

"I think that it is time we left these generalities," she
insisted, "and you told me something rather more personal,
something which I am very anxious to know. Tell me exactly why
so self-centered a person as yourself should interest himself in