The Common Law

n the connecting doors of the studio where a light gleame

d into the subdued radiance, st

quite aware of his ill-temper. "Because if

nd divested her of the fur garment whi

he single ceiling lamp; "and please find some nice, big

edge of the hearth. Every movement he made, his every attitude was characterised by a sulky dignity which she found rather funny, now that the first inexplicable consternation of meeting him had subsided. And already

, "the kind that catch fire in a seco

unting in a broad sheet of yellow flame, making their faces brilliant in the darkness; and the t

el

ha

u a Happy

I wish you

and drop your head back on my knees, and t

appear to

h a slight ris

of pretending?"

laugh: "Oh, you great, big infant! The idea of you being the famous painter Loui

ence," he said, "

d life endurable if they did not pretend. Of course I'm pretendi

comes

pretend I don't mind your ill-temper it may come tr

n her cold cheeks. Snow crystals on her dark hair melted into iris-rayed drops. She stretched

eet and cunning! Gladys has her front

kitten partly opened its bluish eyes; the mother-cat stretched her le

rising, she resumed her seat, sinking back deeply into the ar

e stirred in the studio; there was no sound save the ghos

s of armour-on polished corselet and helmet and the tall hilts of swords. Then she looked upward where the high c

railing velvets, avoiding manikins armed cap-a-pie, moving restlessly, aimlessly. And her eyes

d familiar that seemed now to have settled into a sterner, darker mould-a visage that was too lean for

vas above. And for a long while he stood there leaning

inking, unconscious of the trick time played him-for the fire was already burning low again and the tall clock in the shadows pointed with stiff and ancient hands

alerie, who lay curled up in her chair, eye

ogs on the fire she opened her eyes and looked up a

d," she said, "if this is

to say to me?" h

hat, Kel

ows; I

in the rushing brilliancy of the blaze. "He is neither a very gracious host, nor a very reasonabl

ce at him, and h

ry cross; perhaps he is only tired-or in trouble. Otherwis

for a few moments, then, hands in his pockets, wal

it went as it came. She rose, crossed to w

s the m

crude preten

happy enough. W

tely no

e wrong between us, Kelly, dear? Because we mustn't l

wrong with us?" h

r until I find out. You know what that dreadful temper of mine can be?" She added, smi

t you wish

you could be like this? Do you want a girl to go on her knees

d was a

ime at the Gigolette when I suddenly saw you-your expression-and-I don't

hy didn't you remain? Your gay spirits would

laugh which checked her, left

f me?" she asked, cur

ke care of your

to," she s

as s

light laugh not p

u what all mortals experience when t

is t

mpians had a bad half hour of it sooner or later. And to-night the great god Kelly has veiled his face from me, and I'm on my knees at

anything has altered our pleasant intimacy, I don

ere is s

not sa

o, that whatever threatens our excellent understanding ought t

id no

alk it over like two se

fa around to the blaze

our bed of

er head and nestled down in t

to-night the high justice, the middle, and the low. Now hale before me those skulking knaves, Doubt, Suspicion, and Distrust, a

erfectly horrid you ca

herself on one arm, and look

ou

ha

u doub

bt w

or you is as warm as

h is governed by chance and environment. The hazard that throws two people into each other's company is the same hazard

she said

your duties led you elsewhere-mine se

ou see in our

e asked,

ated, tranquilly. "That

macy is gone. And no

opportunity to b

made oppo

e had n

tened it, dictated t

it otherwise

th God's help. Wil

usness and emoti

t enough for us to notice at all, it is

alysed the

thfu

-as far as

arther, then

no particular

't t

of the New Year's morning? For you and I are unhappy and ill at ease; and you and I are talking at cross purposes, groping, evading, fencing with wor

n!" he repeate

e said about our friendship indicates.... And I care mo

very g

did-surprises me. I want to find out why there has been confusion, constraint, somewhere-there is something to clear up between us-I

u as ever. Only you have found time for other friendships

er been in all my life," she said. "I love this room-and everything in it. You know I do, Louis. But I couldn't very well come here when you were using all thos

canvas above them. Her gaze followed his, then again she raised herself on o

is my p

the ta

u abando

n't k

us: "Are you going to ab

I?" he said, sulkily; and looked up at he

her throat-"you had all there is to me-confidence in you, gratitude for your frie

epeated, with an

me. Yet-if ever a girl truly loved a man, I have loved you. And I do love you, dearly, honestly, cleanly, without oth

ashamed of his own inexplicable attitude that seemed

egan, but she i

our brief and happy companionship-over the ho

done les

t have

u have give

ll that goes with love-an unselfish admiration; a quick sympathy in your perplexities; quiet solicitude i

all-came first of all to you-came as a novice, ignorant, frightened-and what you did for me then-what you

ard between her arms, fingers nervously wor

on," she said. "In my heart I have not doubted yours-nev

d not

your expression-when you saw me throwing rose

you, did you expect me to

" she demande

ha

ted, gazing straight into h

ence-a little silly mischief-to do with our friendship? Has it anything to do with it? You've never said anything-and ... I've flirted-I've been spoons on men-you knew it. Besides, I'

n't-c

ng his. Then, with a nervous laugh voicing the impossible-"You are not in love

orcing a smile.

ushed

moment; "I-such a matter has not occurred to me." She looked at him partl

t because I did flirt a little with you? It didn't mean anything serious-anything of that kind. Kelly, dear, have you mis

N

with you. Why, you never were sentimental-and a girl isn't unless a man begins it! You never k

make me understand that you haven't the slightest real emo

and distressed, still determined

lieve that I am not guilty of thinking-wishing-of pretending that in our f

t were tru

d angrily-and looked up, caught h

he repeated. "Suppose you did find t

are doing to the old order of things between us-to the old confidences, the old cont

Yes-I

.... Am I taking you too seriously? You do not mean that you really could ever love me, or I you, do you? You mean that-that you just wan

her flushed and

, clear-seeing girl! I just wanted you back again; I miss you; I am perf

Why did you say

ve me,

ly shook

hings," she said. "You sho

hat, Va

mpossible for me to-to ever again be what I

n't pose for me any m

a, head averted, looking steadily down at the hea

said, "I believe we had better fini

ing more?" she

this way between us-all the happiness and the con

ere to say," she

ay it?" he

cognising the voice as his-scarcely

r with you?" she e

sely, "can't you see I've

she repeat

Didn't you know it? Hasn't it been plain

in hurt astonishment, "w

realise it. I've been fool enough not to understand what has been the matter. Now you know the truth, Valerie!" He sprang to hi

damn for me-that way!" he

by his violence. Then: "Do you m

broke and he stood with hands c

t gleaming on her neck and shoulders. After a m

es. "And that is what has come between us. Do you think it is something

she asked in the aw

fly to the floor and stood leaning against the sof

what the real trouble migh

her head m

ourt of inquiry has brough

fascinated. No colour ha

rth again, lip caught sa

's been that from the moment I laid eyes on you. I know it now. I'm learning, you see-learning not to li

d began to pace the gli

e not here-when I was not beside you-all these are now explained before your bed of justice. Your court h

ised her dark eyes

now she heard her own, rapid, terrifying her, hurrying her she knew n

e. I will not ask you to love me if you cannot.

as no r

its pallid loveliness-pressed them to his lips, to his face; drew them

a low cry: "

" she faltered. "I-had neve

nk of me thi

't hel

onsive lips, her throat, her hair. She only gazed sile

ed elbow, wrist, and palm, and every slender finger; and still she looked at him as though dazed. A lassitude, heavy, agreeable to endure, possessed

to care for

now I

heart?" he as

alre

give yours

n movement she dropped her face on his shoulder. A

you mean

t-my da

ving myse

a happy, excited voice that thrilled her. Bu

" and her voice fell so low he could scarc

nt a moment, then: "Wha

want you to

of her senses-strove to keep clear one paramount thought from the heavenly confusion that was invading her, carrying her away, sweeping h

d always meant in the days when that love had been as innocent as friendship. And even now there was little in it except innocence; little yet of passion. It was still only a confused, heavenly surprise, unvexed

ou

whispered, his

ar of you to wish me to be your-wife. B

What do

erstand how truly I do love you.... As a matter of fact, I have always been in love with

dar

uncertainly and

r, I am sure of it." She lifted her pretty head and gazed at him, then with a gay little

u be?" he repeated, wa

ing to marry you," s

d at her

ot afraid to love you because I never was afraid to face the inevitable. And the inevitable confronts me now. And I know it

hy

han I do myself." She forced another laugh, adding

queer ans

ouis, all the history of my friendship for you has been only tha

rse not

nd try to persuade me, Louis, I've a perfectly healthy mind of my own, and you know it-and it's absolutely clear on that subject. You must be satisfied

Because your world is full of women of your own kind-mothers, sisters, relatives, friends.... And all your loyalty, all your tact, all their tact and phi

gan, excitedly, "th

man; but I know how it is with women. I have no illusions, Louis. Even by your side, and with the well-meant

; but she silenced him with a pretty gest

of your world could ever consider me of it-or could ever forgive you fo

inate me, also!" he

rd to make you understand that I wil

fice for me to

living ghosts of that world, Louis! Yet I could endure it for myself-a woman can endure anything when she loves; and find happiness, too-if only the man she loves is happy. But, for

g sorrow on me w

do not believe what I say. But you must believe this, that throu

f my family and my friends hesitate to receive you, it means s

was mine to me? I will not break your heart! I will not humiliate either you or her; I will not ask her to endure-

aster!" he bro

d incidentally yours," s

ler

" she aske

say such a

her clear eyes to his, unshrinking-deep brown wells of

e. I love you so dearly that I will not marry you. That is settled. I love you so deeply that I can be happy with you un

him; then blushed vividly as he caught her to him in a

d, "you will change your ideas

an I do. Could I love you

wilful, si

don't believe it, Louis. I know I couldn't.

c and your ethics a

s that I love you. I'd

k of marr

, de

ke me so happ

so always, Louis, because I pro

ly pacing the floor before the hearth, she with her charmin

infliction of unhappiness. That covers all guilt.... Other matters seem so trivial in comparison-I mean the forms and observances-the formalism of sect and creed.... To me

e marriage law?" h

on't think it would do fo

k we may,

ked, flushing. "It leaves

ld it le

ling adorably at h

relief, free to come and go and earn my living as independently as you gain yours. It would leave me absolutely tranquil in

er and drew

lf without benefit of clergy walks the earth with her lover

fully; they paced the flo

dden. Do vows at an altar help matters? Is divorce more decent because lawful

is s

r w

he com

dered as she timed h

life without me? When my loving you would not harm you or me? When I love you dearly-more dearly, more deepl

he made

ish to be part of you before I die. I wish it more than anything in the world! How can an unselfish girl who loves you h

watched the fading embers for a while in silence. Then, irresistibly

at way-if it's the

the-onl

he bent and kissed it, then t

yourself to

es

moment?" he

shoulder, eyes distrait thinking. Then, in a voic

she said, "I

ce; her face, white as a flower, upturned to

of snow against the panes-the fall of an

a little flame broke out amid the débris, lighting up the studio with a fitful

lay against his shoulder. The ruddy resurgence of firelight sto

inders. Thought, which had ceased when her lips met his in the first quick throb of passion, stirred vaguely, and aw

ou

rest

take me home? It is mor

d hair. Then gently disengaging herself from his arms, and still busy with her tumbled h

lf. She moved nearer to the clock, watching the stiff, jer

d her, she dropped her head ba

ating steadily into the New Year, devouring it hour by hour-the hours that we thought bel

ed in a l

for you t

ess hand and still without looking at him, pres

hal," she said. "My rin

wear any rin

r kiss i

f we a

call it that. I really am engaged to giv

said under

e time to consider the consequences-" She smiled, faintly-"a little time to prepare herse

s the best way! I cannot bear to take you-to have y

smile. "Voluntas non potest cogi-dearest-dearest of lovers! I love you dearly for wha

the tall old clock, turned her back to it and faced him

spect of impending happiness with such a lo

n the protest wru

! For God's sake marry me and le

elieve them. And then that clear, pitiless reasoning power of mine awakens me; and I turn my gaze inward and

serious, brightene

light is a chilly shower-bath. No doubt at all that I'll be pretty well frightened over what I've said and done to-night.... Louis, dear, you simply must

oon. And who will care then how Valerie West loved Louis Neville?-or what letters in a forgotten language spelled 'wife' and what letters spelled 'mistress'? After all, I am not afraid of words. Nor do I fear what is in my heart. God read