Fleda stopped in front of her hostess. "I gave him my opinion that you're very logical, very obstinate, and very proud." This made his companion thoughtful again. "Can you take such pleasure in her being 'finished'—a poor girl you've once loved?"!

"Nothing but her luncheon. But I got everything!" "For you, but not for your eloquence. Do you understand what I mean by the difference?" Mrs. Gereth asked as she stood stirring her tea.

"He doesn't dream I've ever thought of him," said Fleda. "Why should he, if you didn't?" "Fearfully?" broke from the girl. Somehow, at the word, she was startled. The ring of his question made his anger at Mona almost resemble for a minute an anger at Fleda; and this resemblance in turn caused our young lady to observe how handsome he looked when he spoke, for the first time in her hearing, with that degree of heat, and used, also for the first time, such a term as "perpetrated." In addition, his challenge rendered still more vivid to her the mere flimsiness of her own aid. "Yes, you've been perfect," she said. "You've had a most difficult part. You've had to show tact and patience, as well as firmness, with your mother, and you've strikingly shown them. It's I who, quite unintentionally, have deceived you. I haven't helped you at all to your remedy."