"You are growing very fanciful," she said, "which is a sign, if not a
bad one. Your metaphors, too, are so farfetched and extravagant as to
indicate the earliest stages of the divine madness. Do you mean to
suggest that Grace will break forth like a volcano on some fortuitous
man? If that be your theory you would stand as good a chance as any
one. She might break forth on you."

"I have indeed been unfortunate in my illustration, since you can so
twist my words even in jest. Here's plain enough prose for you. No
amount of wooing would make the slightest difference unless by some
law or impulse of her own nature Miss St. John was compelled to
respond."

"Isn't that true of every woman?"

"I don't think it is."

"How is it that you are so versed in the mysteries of the feminine
soul?"

"I have not lived altogether the life of a monk, and the history of
the world is the history of women as well as of men. I am merely
giving the impression that has been made upon me."



CHAPTER VI

PHILOSOPHY AT FAULT