第5章
Ofcourse，shecouldnotwastetendernessonthisman，forshehaddeliberatelysetouttomakehimtheinstrumentofhervengeanceagainsthisfather。Forthatveryreason，shesufferedmuchfromaconsciencenewlyclamorous。Neverforaninstantdidshehesitateinherlong-cherishedplanofrevengeagainsttheonewhohadbroughtruinonherlife，yet，throughallhersatisfactionbeforetheprospectoffinalvictoryaftercontinueddelay，thereranthesecret，inescapablesorrowoverthefactthatshemustemploythismeanstoattainherend。Shehadnothoughtofweakening，butthebetterspiritwithinherwarredagainstthelusttorepayaneyeforaneye。ItwasthenewGospelagainsttheoldLaw，andthefiercenessofthestrugglerenther。Justnow，thedoingofthekindlyactseemedsomehowtogratifynotonlyhermaternalinstincttowardserviceoflove，but，too，tomuffleforalittletherebukingvoiceofherinmostsoul。
Soshewentherwaymoreatease，morenearlycontentagainwithherselfandwithhersystemofliving。Indeed，asshewasshownintotheprivateofficeoftheingeniousinterpreterofthelaw，therewasnotahintofanytroublebeneaththebrightmaskofherbeauty，radiantlysmiling。
Harrisregardedhisclientwithanappreciativeeye，ashebowedingreeting，andinvitedhertoaseat。Thelawyerwasamanoffinephysique，withasplendidfaceofthebestSemitictype，inwhichwerelarge，dark，sparklingeyes——eyesaLombrosoperhapsmighthavejudgedrathertoocloselyset。Asamatteroffact，Harrishadsufferedaflagrantinjusticeinhisownlifefromasuspicionofwrong-doingwhichhehadnotmeritedbyanyact。
Thishadcausedhimalossofprestigeinhisprofession。Hepresentlyadoptedthewilysuggestionoftheadage，thatitiswelltohavethegameifyouhavethename，andheresolutelysethimselftothetaskofmakingasmuchmoneyaspossiblebyanymeansconvenient。MaryTurnerasaclientdelightedhisheart，bothbecauseofthenoveltyofherideasandforthemunificenceofthefeeswhichsheungrudginglypaidwithneveraprotest。
So，ashebeamedonhernow，andspokeacompliment，itwasratherthelawyerthanthemanthatwasmovedtoadmiration。
"Why，MissTurner，howcharming!"hedeclared，smiling。"Really，mydearyounglady，youlookpositivelybridal。"
"Oh，doyouthinkso？"Maryrejoined，withawhimsicalpout，assheseatedherself。Forthemomentherairbecamedistrait，butshequicklyregainedherpoise，asthelawyer，whohaddroppedbackintohischairbehindthedesk，wentonspeaking。Histonenowwascrisplybusiness-like。
"Isentyourcousin，MissAgnesLynch，thereleasewhichsheistosign，"heexplained，"whenshegetsthatmoneyfromGeneralHastings。Iwishyou"dlookitover，whenyouhavetimetospare。It"sallright，I"msure，butIconfessthatIappreciateyouropinionofthings，MissTurner，evenoflegaldocuments——yes，indeed，Ido!——perhapsparticularlyoflegaldocuments。"
"Thankyou，"Marysaid，evidentlyalittlegratifiedbythefrankpraiseofthelearnedgentlemanforherabilities。"Andhaveyouheardfromthemyet？"sheinquired。
"No，"thelawyerreplied。"Igavethemuntilto-morrow。IfI
don"thearthen，Ishallstartsuitatonce。"Thenthelawyer"smannerbecameunusuallyblandandself-satisfiedasheopenedadrawerofthedeskandbroughtfortharatherformidable-appearingdocument，bearingamostimpressiveseal。
"Youwillbegladtoknow，"hewentonunctuously，"thatIwasentirelysuccessfulincarryingoutthatideaofyoursastotheinjunction。MydearMissTurner，"hewentonwithfloridcompliment，"Portiawasasquawkingbaby，comparedwithyou。"
"Thankyouagain，"Maryanswered，asshetookthelegalpaperwhichheheldoutstretchedtowardher。Herscarletlipswerecurvedhappily，andtheclearovalofhercheeksblossomedtoadeeperrose。Foramoment，herglanceranoverthewordsofthepage。Thenshelookedupatthelawyer，andtherewerenewlustersinthevioleteyes。
"It"ssplendid，"shedeclared。"Didyouhavemuchtroubleingettingit？"
Harrispermittedhimselftheindulgenceofanunprofessionalchuckleofkeenestamusementbeforeheanswered。
"Why，no!"hedeclared，withreminiscentenjoymentinhismanner。
"Thatis，notreally!"Therewasanenormouscomplacencyinhisairovertheevent。"But，attheoutset，whenImadetherequest，thejudgejustnaturallynearlyfelloffthebench。
Then，IshowedhimthatDetroitcase，towhichyouhaddrawnmyattention，andtheupshotofitallwasthathegavemewhatI
wantedwithoutawhimper。Hecouldn"thelphimself，youknow。
That"sthelongandtheshortofit。"
Thatmysteriousdocumentwiththeimposingseal，therequestforwhichhadnearlycausedajudgetofalloffthebench，reposedsafelyinMary"sbagwhenshe，returnedtotheapartmentafterthevisittothelawyer"soffice。
CHAPTERX。MARKEDMONEY。
MaryhadscarcelyreceivedfromAggieanaccountofCassidy"sthreateninginvasion，whenthemaidannouncedthatMr。Irwinhadcalled。
"Showhimin，injusttwominutes，"Marydirected。
"Who"sthegink？"Aggiedemanded，withthatslangydictionwhichwasherhabit。
"Yououghttoknow，"Maryreturned，smilingalittle。"He"sthelawyerretainedbyGeneralHastingsinthematterofacertainbreach-of-promisesuit。"
"Oh，youmeanyourstruly，"Aggieexclaimed，notintheleastabashedbyherforgetfulnessinanaffairthatconcernedherselfsoclosely。"Hopehe"sbroughtthemoney。Whataboutit？"
"Leavetheroomnow，"Maryordered，crisply。"WhenIcalltoyou，comein，butbesureandleaveeverythingtome。Merelyfollowmylead。And，Agnes——beveryingenue。"
"Oh，I"mwise——I"mwise，"Aggienodded，asshehurriedouttowardherbedroom。"I"llbeasquab——surestthingyouknow!"
Nextmoment，Marygaveaformalgreetingtothelawyerwhorepresentedthemansheplannedtomulcteffectively，andinvitedhimtoachairnearher，whilesheherselfretainedherplaceatthedesk，withinadrawerofwhichshehadjustlockedtheformidable-appearingdocumentreceivedfromHarris。
Irwinlostnotimeincomingtothepoint。
"Icalledinreferencetothissuit，whichMissAgnesLynchthreatenstobringagainstmyclient，GeneralHastings。"
Maryregardedtheattorneywithalevelglance，serenelyexpressionlessasfarascouldbeachievedbyeyessoclearandshining，andhervoicewascoldassherepliedwithsignificantbrusqueness。
"It"snotathreat，Mr。Irwin。Thesuitwillbebrought。"
Thelawyerfrowned，andtherewasastridentnoteinhisvoicewhenheanswered，meetingherglancewithanuncompromisingstareofhostility。
"Yourealize，ofcourse，"hesaidfinally，"thatthisismerelyplainblackmail。"
Therewasnotthechangeofafeatureinthefaceofthewomanwholistenedtotheaccusation。Hereyessteadfastlyretainedtheircleargazeintohis；hervoicewasstillcoldlyformal，asbefore。
"Ifit"sblackmail，Mr。Irwin，whydon"tyouconsultthepolice？"
sheinquired，withmanifestdisdain。Maryturnedtothemaid，whonowenteredinresponsetothebellshehadsoundedaminutebefore。"Fanny，willyouaskMissLynchtocomein，please？"
Thenshefacedthelawyeragain，withanaloofnessofmannerthatwascontemptuous。"Really，Mr。Irwin，"shedrawled，"whydon"tyoutakethismattertothepolice？"
Thereplywasutteredwithconspicuousexasperation。
"Youknowperfectlywell，"thelawyersaidbitterly，"thatGeneralHastingscannotaffordsuchpublicity。Hispositionwouldbejeopardized。"
"Oh，asforthat，"Marysuggestedevenly，andnowtherewasatraceofflippancyinherfashionofspeaking，"I"msurethepolicewouldkeepyourcomplaintasecret。Really，youknow，Mr。
Irwin，Ithinkyouhadbettertakeyourtroublestothepolice，ratherthantome。Youwillgetmuchmoresympathyfromthem。"
Thelawyersprangup，withanairofsuddendetermination。
"Verywell，Iwillthen，"hedeclared，sternly。"Iwill!"
Mary，fromhervantagepointatthedeskacrossfromhim，smiledasmilethatwouldhavebeenveryengagingtoanymanundermorefavorablecircumstances，andshepushedinhisdirectionthetelephonethatstoodthere。
"3100，Spring，"sheremarked，encouragingly，"willbringanofficeralmostimmediately。"Sheleanedbackinherchair，andsurveyedthebaffledmanamusedly。
Thelawyerwasfuriousoverthefailureofhisefforttointimidatethisextraordinarilyself-possessedyoungwoman，whomadeamockofhiseverythrust。Buthewasbynomeansattheendofhisresources。
"Nevertheless，"herejoined，"youknowperfectlywellthatGeneralHastingsneverpromisedtomarrythisgirl。Youknow——"HebrokeoffasAggieenteredthedrawing-room，Now，thegirlwasdemureinseemingalmostbeyondbelief，achildishcreature，veryfairanddainty，guilelesssurely，withthoseuntroubledeyesofblue，thosesoftlycurvinglipsofwarmestredandthemoredelicatebloomintheroundedcheeks。
Therewerethecharmsofinnocenceandsimplicityinthemannerofherasshestoppedjustwithinthedoorway，whencesheregardedMarywithatimid，pleadinggaze，herslenderlittleformpoisedlightlyasifforflight"Didyouwantme，dear？"sheasked。Therewassomethinghalf-plaintiveinthemodulatedcadencesofthequery。
"Agnes，"Maryansweredaffectionately，"thisisMr。Irwin，whohascometoseeyouinbehalfofGeneralHastings。"
"Oh!"thegirlmurmured，hervoicequiveringalittle，asthelawyer，afterashortnod，droppedagainintohisseat；"oh，I"msofrightened!"Shehurried，fluttering，toalowstoolbehindthedesk，besideMary"schair，andthereshesankdown，droopingslightly，andcatchingholdofoneofMary"shandsasifinmutepleadingforprotectionagainstthefearthatbesetherchastesoul。
"Nonsense!"Maryexclaimed，soothingly。"There"sreallynothingatalltobefrightenedabout，mydearchild。"Hervoicewasthatwithwhichoneseekstocajoleaterrifiedinfant。"Youmustn"tbeafraid，Agnes。Mr。IrwinsaysthatGeneralHastingsdidnotpromisetomarryyou。Ofcourse，youunderstand，mydear，thatundernocircumstancesmustyousayanythingthatisn"tstrictlytrue，andthat，ifhedidnotpromisetomarryyou，youhavenocase——noneatall。Now，Agnes，tellme:didGeneralHastingspromisetomarryyou？"
"Oh，yes——oh，yes，indeed!"Aggiecried，falteringly。"AndIwishhewould。He"ssuchadelightfuloldgentleman!"Asshespoke，thegirlletgoMary"shandandclaspedherowntogetherecstatically。
Thelegalrepresentativeofthedelightfuloldgentlemanscowleddisgustedlyatthisoutburst。Hisvoicewasportentous，asheputaquestion。
"Wasthatpromisemadeinwriting？"
"No，"Aggieanswered，gushingly。"Butallhisletterswereinwriting，youknow。Suchwonderfulletters!"Sheraisedherblueeyestowardtheceilinginanaiverapture。"Sotender，andso——er——interesting!"Somehow，theinflectiononthelastworddidnotaltogethersuggesttheingenuous。
"Yes，yes，Idaresay，"Irwinagreed，hastily，withsomeevidencesofchagrin。Hehadnointentionofdwellingonthatfeatureoftheletters，concerningwhichhehadnodoubtwhatsoever，sinceheknewtheamorousGeneralverywellindeed。
Theywouldbeinteresting，beyondshadowofquestioning，horriblyinteresting。Suchwastheconfessedopinionoftheswainhimselfwhohadwrittentheminhisfolly——horriblyinterestingtoallthereadingpublicofthecountry，sincetheGeneralwasaconspicuousfigure。
Maryintervenedwithasuavitythatinfuriatedthelawyeralmostbeyondendurance。
"Butyou"requitesure，Agnes，"shequestionedgently，"thatGeneralHastingsdidpromisetomarryyou？"Thecandorofhermannerwasperfect。
AndtheanswerofAggiewasgivenwithalikeconvincingemphasis。
"Oh，yes!"shedeclared，tensely。"Why，Iwouldsweartoit。"
Thelimpideyes，soappealingintheirsoftlusters，wentfirsttoMary，thengazedtrustinglyintothoseoftheroutedattorney。
"Yousee，Mr。Irwin，shewouldsweartothat，"emphasizedMary。
"We"rebeaten，"heconfessed，dejectedly，turninghisglancetowardMary，whom，plainly，heregardedashisrealadversaryinthecombatonhisclient"sbehalf。"I"mgoingtobequitefrankwithyou，MissTurner，quitefrank，"hestatedwithmoregeniality，thoughwithaverycrestfallenair。Somehow，indeed，therewasjustashadetoomuchofthecrestfalleninthefashionofhisutterance，andthewomanwhomheaddressedwatchedwarilyashecontinued。"Wecan"taffordanyscandal，sowe"regoingtosettleatyourownterms。"Hepausedexpectantly，butMaryofferednocomment；onlymaintainedheralertscrutinyoftheman。Thelawyer，therefore，leanedforwardwithasemblanceoffrankeagerness。Instantly，Aggiehadbecomeagogwithgreedilyblissfulanticipations，andsheutteredaslightejaculationofjoy；butIrwinpaidnoheedtoher。Hewasoccupiedintakingfromhispocketathickbill-case，andfromthispresentlyasheafofbanknotes，whichhelaidonthedeskbeforeMary，withalittlelaughofdiscomfitureoverhavingbeenbeateninthecontest。
Ashedidso，Aggiethrustforthanavaricioushand，butitwascaughtandheldbyMarybeforeitreachedabovethetopofthedesk，andtheavariciousgesturepassedunobservedbytheattorney。
"Wecan"tfightwhereladiesareconcerned，"hewenton，assuming，asbesthemightcontrive，achivalroustone。"So，ifyouwilljusthandoverGeneralHastings"letters，why，here"syourmoney。"
Muchtothespeaker"ssurprise，therefollowedanintervalofsilence，andhispuzzlementshowedintheknittingofhisbrows。
"Youhavetheletters，haven"tyou？"hedemanded，abruptly。
Aggiecoylytookathickbundlefromitsrestingplaceonherroundedbosom。
"Theyneverleaveme，"shemurmured，withdulcetpassion。Therewasinhervoiceasuggestionofdesolation——adesolationthatwastheblightingeffectoflettingthecherishedmissivesgofromher。
"Well，theycanleaveyounow，allright，"thelawyerremarkedunsympathetically，butwithreturningcheerfulness，sincehesawtheendofhisquestinvisibleformbeforehim。Hereachedquicklyforwardforthepacket，whichAggieextendedwillinglyenough。ButitwasMarywho，withaswiftmovement，caughtandheldit。
"Notquiteyet，Mr。Irwin，I"mafraid，"shesaid，calmly。
Thelawyerbarelysuppressedaviolentejaculationofannoyance。
"Butthere"sthemoneywaitingforyou，"heprotested，indignantly。
TherejoinderfromMarywasspokenwithgreatdeliberation，yetwithanoteofdeterminationthatcausedaquickandacuteanxietytotheGeneral"srepresentative。
"Ithink，"Maryexplainedtranquilly，"thatyouhadbetterseeourlawyer，Mr。Harris，inreferencetothis。Wewomenknownothingofsuchdetailsofbusinesssettlement。"
"Oh，there"snoneedforallthatformality，"Irwinurged，withagreatappearanceofblandfriendliness。
"Justthesame，"Marypersisted，unimpressed，"I"mquitesureyouwouldbetterseeMr。Harrisfirst。"Therewasacadenceofinsistenceinhervoicethatassuredthelawyerastothefutilityoffurtherpretenseonhispart。
"Oh，Isee，"hesaiddisagreeably，withafrowntoindicatehiscompletesagacityinthepremises。
"Ithoughtyouwould，Mr。Irwin，"Maryreturned，andnowshesmiledinakindlymanner，which，nevertheless，gavenopleasuretothechagrinedmanbeforeher。Asherose，shewentoncrisply:"Ifyou"lltakethemoneytoMr。Harris，MissLynchwillmeetyouinhisofficeatfouro"clockthisafternoon，and，whenhersuitfordamagesforbreachofpromisehasbeenlegallysettledoutofcourt，youwillgettheletters……
Good-afternoon，Mr。Irwin。"
Thelawyermadeahurriedbowwhichtookinbothofthewomen，andwalkedquicklytowardthedoor。ButhewasarrestedbeforehereacheditbythevoiceofMary，speakingagain，stillinthatimperturbableevennesswhichsoraspedhisnerves，forallitsmellowresonance。Butthistimetherewasasting，ofthesharpest，inthewordsthemselves。
"Oh，youforgotyourmarkedmoney，Mr。Irwin，"Marysaid。
Thelawyerwheeled，andstoodstaringatthespeakerwithacertainsheepishnessofexpressionthatborewitnesstothecompletenessofhisdiscomfiture。Withoutaword，afteralongmomentinwhichheperceivedintentlythedelicate，yetsubtlyenergetic，lovelinessofthisslenderwoman，hewalkedbacktothedesk，pickedupthemoney，andrestoredittothebill-case。
Thisdone，atlasthespoke，withanewrespectinhisvoice，aquizzicalsmileonhisratherthinlips。
"Youngwoman，"hesaidemphatically，"yououghttohavebeenalawyer。"Andwiththatlaudatoryconfessionofherskill，hefinallytookhisdeparture，whileMarysmiledinatriumphshewasatnopainstoconceal，andAggiesatgapingastonishmentoverthesurprisingturnofevents。
Itwasthelattervolatilepersonwhoendedthesilencethatfollowedonthelawyer"sgoing。
"You"vedarnnearbrokemyheart，"shecried，bouncingupviolently，"lettingallthatmoneygooutofthehouse……Say，howdidyouknowitwasmarked？"
"Ididn"t，"Maryreplied，blandly；"butitwasaprettygoodguess，wasn"tit？Couldn"tyouseethatallhewantedwastogettheletters，andhaveustakethemarkedmoney？Then，mysimpleyoungfriend，wewouldhavebeenarrestedveryneatlyindeed——forblackmail。"
Aggie"sinnocenteyesroundedinanamazedconsternation，whichwasnotatallassumed。
"Gee!"shecried。"Thatwouldhavebeenfierce!Andnow？"shequestioned，apprehensively。
Mary"sanswerrepudiatedanypossibilityoffear。
"Andnow，"sheexplainedcontentedly，"hereallywillgotoourlawyer。There，hewillpayoverthatsamemarkedmoney。Then，hewillgetthelettershewantssomuch。And，justbecauseit"sastrictlybusinesstransactionbetweentwolawyers，witheverythingdoneaccordingtolegalethics——"
"What"slegalethics？"Aggiedemanded，impetuously。"Theysoundsometasty!"Withthecomment，shedroppedweaklyintoachair。
Marylaughedincare-freeenjoyment，aswellshemightafterwinningthevictoryinsuchabattleofwits。
"Oh，"shesaid，happily，"youjustgetitlegally，andyougettwiceasmuch!"
"Andit"sactuallythesameoldgame!"Aggiemused。Shewasdoingherbesttogetaclearunderstandingofthematter，thoughtoheritwasallamysterymostesoteric。
Maryreviewedthecasesuccinctlyfortheother"senlightenment。
"Yes，it"sthesamegameprecisely，"sheaffirmed。"Ashamelessoldrouemakeslovetoyou，andhewritesyouastackofsillyletters。"
Thepoutinglipsofthelistenertookonapatheticdroop，andhervoicequiveredasshespokewithaneffectivesemblanceofvirginalterror。
"Hemighthaveruinedmylife!"
Marycontinuedwithoutgivingmuchattentiontothesehistrionics。
"Ifyouhadaskedhimforallthismoneyforthereturnofhisletters，itwouldhavebeenblackmail，andwe"dhavegonetojailinallhumanprobability。Butwedidnosuchthing——no，indeed!
Whatwedidwasn"tanythinglikethatintheeyesofthelaw。
Whatwedidwasmerelytohaveyourlawyertakestepstowardasuitfordamagesforbreachofpromiseofmarriageforthesumoftenthousanddollars。Then，hislawyerappearsinbehalfofGeneralHastings，andtherefollowanumberofconferencesbetweenthelegalrepresentativesoftheopposingparties。Bymeansoftheseconferences，thetwolegalgentlemenrunupveryrespectablebillsofexpenses。Intheend，wegetourtenthousanddollars，andtheflightyoldGeneralgetsbackhisletters……Mydear，"Maryconcludedvaingloriously，"we"reinsidethelaw，andsowe"reperfectlysafe。Andthereyouare!"
CHAPTERXI。THETHIEF。
Maryremainedinjoyousspiritsafterhervictoriousmatchingofbrainsagainstalawyerofhighstandinginhisprofession。Forthetimebeing，consciencewasmutedbygratifiedambition。Herthoughtsjustthenwerefarfromthemiseriesofthepast，withtheireviltrainofconsequencesinthepresent。Butthatpastwassoontoberecalledtoherwithavividnessmostterrible。
Shehadenteredthetelephone-booth，whichshehadcausedtobeinstalledoutofanextraclosetofherbedroomforthesakeofgreaterprivacyonoccasion，anditwasduringherabsencefromthedrawing-roomthatGarsonagaincameintotheapartment，seekingher。OnbeingtoldbyAggieastoMary"swhereabouts，hesatdowntoawaitherreturn，listeningwithoutmuchinteresttothechatteroftheadventuress……Itwasjustthenthatthemaidappeared。
"There"sagirlwantstoseeMissTurner，"sheexplained。
TheirrepressibleAggieputonhermostfinicallyelegantair。
"Hassheacard？"sheinquiredhaughtily，whilethemaidtitteredappreciation。
"No，"wastheanswer。"Butshesaysit"simportant。Iguessthepoorthing"sinhardluck，fromthelookofher，"thekindlyFannieadded。
"Oh，thenshe"llbewelcome，ofcourse，"Aggiedeclared，andGarsonnoddedinacquiescence。"Tellhertocomeinandwait，Fannie。MissTurnerwillbehererightaway。"SheturnedtoGarsonasthemaidlefttheroom。"Marysureisaneasyboob，"
sheremarked，cheerfully。"Blesshersoftheart!"
Acuriouslygentlesmileofappreciationsoftenedtheimmobilityoftheforger"sfaceasheagainnoddedassent。
"WemightjustaswellpipeofftheskirtbeforeMarygetshere，"
Aggiesuggested，witheagerness。
Aminutelater，agirlperhapstwentyyearsofagesteppedjustwithinthedoorway，andstoodtherewitheyesdowncast，afteroneswift，furtiveglanceabouther。Herwholeappearancewasthatofdejection。Hersoiledblackgown，thecringingposture，thepallorofherface，proclaimedtheabjectmiseryofherstate。
Aggie，whowasnotexuberantinhersympathiesforanyoneotherthanherself，addressedthenewcomerwithapatronizinginflection，modulatedinherbestmanner。
"Won"tyoucomein，please？"sherequested。
Theshrinkinggirlshotanotherveiledlookinthedirectionofthespeaker。
"AreyouMissTurner？"sheasked，inavoicebrokenbynervousdismay。
"Really，Iamverysorry，"Aggiereplied，primly；"butIamonlyhercousin，MissAgnesLynch。ButMissTurnerislikelytobebackanyminutenow。"
"CanIwait？"camethetimidquestion。
"Certainly，"Aggieanswered，hospitably。"Pleasesitdown。"
Asthegirlobedientlysankdownonthenearestchair，Garsonaddressedhersharply，sothatthevisitorstarteduneasilyattheunexpectedsound。
"Youdon"tknowMissTurner？"
"No，"camethefaintreply。
"Then，whatdoyouwanttoseeherabout？"
Therewasabriefpausebeforethegirlcouldpluckupcourageenoughforananswer。Then，itwasspokenconfusedly，almostinawhisper。
"Sheoncehelpedagirlfriendofmine，andIthought——I
thought——"
"Youthoughtshemighthelpyou，"Garsoninterrupted。
ButAggie，too，possessedsomeperceptivepowers，despitethefactthatshepreferredtousethemlittleinordinaryaffairs。
"Youhavebeeninstir——prison，Imean。"Shehastilycorrectedthelapseintounderworldslang。
Cameadistressedmutteringofassentfromthegirl。
"Howsad!"Aggieremarked，inavoiceofshockedpityforonesoinconceivablyunfortunate。"Howvery，verysad!"
ThisingenuousmethodofdiversionwasputtoanendbytheentranceofMary，whostoppedshortonseeingthelimpfigurehuddledinthechair。
"Avisitor，Agnes？"sheinquired。
Atthesoundofhervoice，andbeforeAggiecouldhitonafittinglyelegantformofreply，thegirllookedup。Andnow，forthefirsttime，shespokewithsomedegreeofenergy，albeittherewasasinisterundertoneinthehuskyvoice。
"You"reMissTurner？"shequestioned。
"Yes，"Marysaid，simply。Herwordsrangkindly；andshesmiledencouragement。
Agaspburstfromthewhitelipsofthegirl，andshecoweredasonestrickenphysically。
"MaryTurner!Oh，myGod!I——"Shehidherfacewithinherarmsandsatbentuntilherheadrestedonherkneesinanabasementofmisery。
Vaguelystartledbythehystericaloutburstfromthegirl，Mary"simmediatethoughtwasthatherewasapitifulinstanceofonesufferingfromstarvation。
"Joe，"shedirectedrapidly，"haveFanniebringaglassofmilkwithaneggandalittlebrandyinit，rightaway。"
Thegirlinthechairwasshakingsoundlesslyunderthestressofheremotions。Afewdisjointedphrasesfellfromherquiveringlips。
"Ididn"tknow——oh，Icouldn"t!"
"Don"ttrytotalkjustnow，"Marywarned，reassuringly。"Waituntilyou"vehadsomethingtoeat。"
Aggie，whohadobserveddevelopmentsclosely，nowliftedhervoiceintardylamentationsoverherownstupidity。Therewasnoaffectationofthefineladyinherself-reproach。
"Why，thepoorgawk"shungry!"sheexclaimed!"AndInevergotthedopeonher。Ain"tIthesimp!"
Thegirlregainedadegreeofself-control，andshowedsomethingofforlorndignity。
"Yes，"shesaiddully，"I"mstarving。"
Maryregardedtheafflictedcreaturewiththatsympathybornonlyofexperience。
"Yes，"shesaidsoftly，"Iunderstand。"ThenshespoketoAggie。
"Takehertomyroom，andletherrestthereforawhile。Haveherdrinktheeggandmilkslowly，andthenliedownforafewminutesanyhow。"
Aggieobeyedwithanairofbustlingactivity。
"Sure，Iwill!"shedeclared。Shewenttothegirlandhelpedhertostandup。"We"llfixyououtallright，"shesaid，comfortingly。"Comealongwithme……Hungry!Gee，butthat"stough!"
Halfanhourafterward，whileMarywasatherdesk，givingpartofherattentiontoJoeGarson，whosatnear，andparttoaratherformidablepileofneatlyarrangedpapers，Aggiereportedwithhercharge，who，thoughstillshamblingofgait，andstooping，showedbysomefaintcolorinherfaceandanincreasedsteadinessofbearingthatthefoodhadalreadystrengthenedhermuch。
"Shewouldcome，"Aggieexplained。"Ithoughtsheoughttorestforawhilelongeranyhow。"Shehalf-shovedthegirlintoachairoppositethedesk，inanabsurdtravestyonthematernalmanner。
"I"mallright，Itellyou，"camethequerulousprotest。
Whereupon，Aggiegaveovertheuncongenialtaskofmothering，andsettledherselfcomfortablyinachair，withherlegsmerelycrossedasacompromisebetweeneaseandpropriety。
"Areyouquitesure？"Marysaidtothegirl。Andthen，astheothernoddedinassent，shespokewithacompellingkindliness。
"Thenyoumusttellusallaboutit——thistroubleofyours，youknow。Whatisyourname？"
Onceagainthegirlhadrecoursetotheswift，searching，furtiveglance，buthervoicewascolorlessasshereplied，listlessly:
"HelenMorris。"
Maryregardedthegirlwithanexpressionthatwasinscrutablewhenshespokeagain。
"Idon"thavetoaskifyouhavebeeninprison，"shesaidgravely。"Yourfaceshowsit。"
"I——Icameout——threemonthsago，"wasthehaltingadmission。
Marywatchedtheshrinkingfigurereflectivelyforalongminutebeforeshespokeagain。Thentherewasadeeperresonanceinhervoice。
"Andyou"dmadeupyourmindtogostraight？"
"Yes。"Thewordwasawhisper。
"Youweregoingtodowhatthechaplainhadtoldyou，"Marywentoninavoicevibrantwithvariedemotions。"Youweregoingtostartalloveragain，weren"tyou？Youweregoingtobeginanewlife，weren"tyou？"Thebentheadofthegirlbentstilllowerinassent。TherecameacynicalnoteintoMary"sutterancenow。
"Itdoesn"tworkverywell，doesit？"sheasked，bitterly。
Thegirlgavesullenagreement。
"No，"shesaiddully；"I"mwhipped。"
Mary"smannerchangedontheinstant。Shespokecheerfullyforthefirsttime。
"Well，then，"shequestioned，"howwouldyouliketoworkwithus？"
Thegirllookedupforasecondwithanotherofherfleeting，stealthyglances。
"You——youmeanthat——？"
Maryexplainedherintentioninthematterveryexplicitly。Hervoicegrewboastful。
"Ourkindofworkpayswellwhenyouknowhow。Lookatus。"
Aggiewelcomedtheopportunityforspeech，toolongdelayed。
"HatsfromJoseph"s，gownsfromLucile"s，andcrackedicefromTiffany"s。Butitain"tladyliketowearit，"sheconcludedwithareproachfulglanceathermentor。
Marydisregardedthefrivolousinterruption，andwentonspeakingtothegirl，andnowtherewassomethingpleasantlycajolinginhermanner。
"SupposeIshouldstakeyouforthepresent，andputyouinwithagoodcrowd。Allyouwouldhavetodowouldbetoansweradvertisementsforservantgirls。Iwillseethatyouhavethebestofreferences。Then，whenyougetinwiththerightpeople，youwillopenthefrontdoorsomenightandletinthegang。Ofcourse，youwillmakeaget-awaywhentheydo，andgetyourbitaswell。"
Thereflashedstillanotheroftheswift，slyglances，andthelipsofthegirlpartedasifshewouldspeak。Butshedidnot；
only，herheadsaggedevenloweronherbreast，andtheshrunkenformgrewyetmoreshrunken。Mary，watchingclosely，sawthesesigns，andinthesameinstantachangecameoverher。Wherebeforetherehadbeenanunderlyingsuggestionofhardness，therewasnowawomanlywarmthofgenuinesympathy。
"Itdoesn"tsuityou？"shesaid，verysoftly。"Good!Iwasinhopesitwouldn"t。So，here"sanotherplan。"Hervoicehadbecomeverywinning。"SupposeyoucouldgoWest——someplacewhereyouwouldhaveafairchance，withmoneyenoughsoyoucouldlivelikeahumanbeingtillyougotastart？"
Therecameatensingoftherelaxedform，andtheheadliftedalittlesothatthegirlcouldlookatherquestioner。And，thistime，theglance，thoughofthebriefest，waslessfurtive。
"Iwillgiveyouthatchance，"Marysaidsimply，"ifyoureallywantit。"
Thatspeechwaslikeacurrentofstrengthtothewretchedgirl。
Shesatsuddenlyerect，andherwordscameeagerly。
"Oh，Ido!"Andnowherhungrygazeremainedfastonthefaceofthewomanwhoofferedhersalvation。
Marysprangupandmovedasteptowardthegirlwhocontinuedtostareather，fascinated。Shewasnowallwholesome。Thememoryofherownwrongssurgedinherduringthismomentonlytomakehermoreappreciativeoftheblessednessofseemlylife。Shewasmovedtoadivinecompassionoverthiswaifforwhomshemightproveabeneficentprovidence。Therewasprofoundconvictionintheemphasiswithwhichshespokeherwarning。
"ThenIhavejustonethingtosaytoyoufirst。Ifyouaregoingtolivestraight，startstraight，andthengothroughwithit。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？"
"Youmean，keepstraightallthetime？"Thegirlspokewithaforcedrawnfromtheother"sstrength。
"Imeanmorethanthat，"Marywentonearnestly。"Imean，forgetthatyouwereeverinprison。Idon"tknowwhatyouhavedone——I
don"tthinkIcare。Butwhateveritwas，youhavepaidforit——aprettybigprice，too。"Intotheselastwordstherecreptthepathosofonewhoknew。Thesympathyofitstirredthelistenertofearfulmemories。
"Ihave，Ihave!"Thethinvoicebroke，wailing。
"Well，then，"Marywenton，"justbeginalloveragain，andbesureyoustandupforyourrights。Don"tletthemmakeyoupayasecondtime。Gowherenooneknowsyou，anddon"ttellthefirstpeoplewhoarekindtoyouthatyouhavebeencrooked。Iftheythinkyouarestraight，why，beit。Thennobodywillhaveanyrighttocomplain。"Hertonegrewsuddenlypleading。"Willyoupromisemethis？"
"Yes，Ipromise，"cametheanswer，verygravely，quickenedwithhope。
"Good!"Maryexclaimed，withasmileofapproval。"Waitaminute，"sheadded，andlefttheroom。
"Huh!Prettysoftforsomepeople，"AggieremarkedtoGarson，withasniff。Shefeltnoalarmlestshewoundthesensibilitiesofthegirl。Sheherselfhadneverletdelicacyinterferebetweenherselfandmoney。Itwasreallystrangerthattheforger，whopossessedamoresympatheticnature，didnotscrupletospeakanassentopenly。Somehow，hefeltaninexplicableprejudiceagainstthisabjectrecipientofMary"sbounty，thoughnotfortheworldwouldhehavecheckedthegenerousimpulseonthepartofthewomanhesorevered。Itwashisinstinctonherbehalfthatmadehimnowvaguelyuneasy，asifhesensedsomemaligninfluenceagainsthertherepresentwiththem。
Maryreturnedsoon。Inherhandshecarriedarollofbills。
Shewenttothegirlandheldoutthemoney。Hervoicewasbusiness-likenow，butverykind。
"Takethis。ItwillpayyourfareWest，andkeepyouquiteawhileifyouarecareful。"