The Judgment House

he nodded to or shook hands with half a dozen people before he reached Piccadilly. Here he completed the purchases for his school-boy nephews, and then he went to a sweet-shop in R

little more complete, but increasingly graceful and perfectly appointed. Her dress was of dark green, of a most delicate shade, and with the clinging softness and texture of velvet. S

was always her way: wherever she went she attracted attention, drew interest, magnetized the onlooker. Nothing had changed in her, nothing of charm and beauty and eloquence,-how eloquent she had

he mouth; and he was conscious of something exotic, self-indulgent, and "emancipated." She had always been self-indulgent and selfish, and, in a wilful, innocent way, emancipated, in the old days; but here was a different,

ngs. As he looked at her now his heart did not beat faster, his pulses did not quicken, his eye did not soften, he did not even wish himself away. Love was as dead as last year's leaves-so dead that no spir

trophy of all the passionate elements of his nature. But because of this he was the better poised, the more evenly balanced, the more perceptive. His eyes were not blurred or dimmed by any stress of emotion, his mind worked in a cool quiet, and his forward tread had leisurely decision and grace. He had sunk one part of himself far below the level of activity or sensation, while new resolves, new powers of mind, new de

ould meet her without the agitation of a single nerve. He despised her, but he could make allowance for her. He knew the strain that was in her, got from her brilliant and rather plangent grandfather. He knew the temptation of

, training and experience would have chastened. Would have chastened? Was it not, then, chastened? Looking at her now, he knew that it was not. It was still there, he felt; but how much else

ad; but friendship stayed. Yes, friendship stayed-in spite of all. Her conduct had made him blush for her, had covered him with shame, but she was a woman, and therefore weak-he had come to that now. She was on a lower plateau of ho

hey did the first day they had been received. She became a little pale, and turned as though to find some other egress from the shop. There being none, there was but one course, and that was to go out as though she had not seen him. He had not even been moved at all at seeing her; but with her it was diffe

llions had been really four-and everything and everybody, almost, was deferential towards her. Had it brought her happiness, or content, or joy? It had brou

into outer darkness, was sufficient to cast a cloud over it. She felt herself grow s

e, and as she started forward, he turned, deliberately walke

no tricks, practices no deception this time. In a book she'

nds. He had determined to be master of the situation, and to turn the moment to the credit of his

laced an instant after by the disconcerting reflection that there was in his face or manner not the faintest sign of em

a green-grocer's, and the apotheosis of the commonplace would have been

nything, not impeaching her by an injured tone and manner, which so m

ago, and I stay at the will of

den flash which always lighted her eyes when a daring

nd-how self-ce

s or that, she might be false or true, she might be one who had sold herself for mammon, and had not paid tribute to the one great natural pr

hese days?" he asked. "On

she replied: "That's because you are so secluded-in your kindergart

gh to light the tinder of emotion. She knew it, for he was cool and

fe worth living,"

choose," she replied. "It is su

our careers by acc

undercurrent of meaning in it which he was not slow to notice; but he disregard

is not yet begu

or pique, or hurt, or merely

e said, defiantly,

casual exploration in a da

her eyes. "Are you by any chance free to-morrow night to dine with us-quite, quit

owing her so plainly that she had lost every vestige of the ancient power over

ill come with ple

ng a box of bons mots with you. But you will come,

e answered, coolly, having

d and piqued, but with a sm

and fast, her tiny hand clenched, her face flush

l show some feeling. He shall-he s