listened meekly to Ellen.

'He smiled a little, it was a little sad smile, when he told me that I
was to write, saying that he would be glad if you would come to see
him when he was dead. I think I know what was passing in his mind--he
hoped that his death might be a warning to you. Not many men die of
broken hearts, but one never knows. One did. Look at him, take your
lesson.'

'I assure you that we were merely friends. He liked me, I know--he
loved me, if you will; I could not help that,' Mildred drew on the
floor of the studio with her parasol. 'I am very sorry, it is most
unfortunate. I did nothing wrong. I'm sure he never suggested---'

'How that one idea does run in your head. I wonder if your thoughts
are equally chaste.'

Mildred did not answer.

'I read you in the first glance, one glance was enough, your eyes tell
the tale of your cunning, mean little soul. Perhaps you sometimes try
to resist, maybe your nature turns naturally to evil. There are people
like that.'

'If I had done what you seem to think I ought to have done, he would
have abandoned you.' And Mildred looked at her rival triumphantly.

'That would have been better than what has happened. Then there would
have been only one heart broken, now there are two.'