Fleda by this time desired immensely to keep his companion, but she saw she could do so only at the cost of provoking on his part a further exhibition of the sheltering attitude, which he exaggerated precisely because it was the first thing, since he had begun to "like" her, that he had been able frankly to do for her. It was not in her interest that Mrs. Brigstock should be more struck than she already was with that benevolence. "There may be things you know that I don't," she presently said to her, with a smile. "But I've a sort of sense that you're laboring under some great mistake." "It has lasted long enough for my purpose. There was something I wanted to know, but I think I know it now."!

CHAPTER XIV "I made a point of letting Mona know that I should be here, don't you see? That's exactly what I wrote her this morning."

Fleda turned away. "Thank you." This was a transaction that Fleda, after a moment, had to give up trying to represent to herself. "If she won't do that—?" she went on. "For me?" Fleda stared. "Before he has even married her?"