Man and Maid

"I'll think it over," I told him, and he left me alone.

That would be one way of winning or losing everything certainly! But it

would also be breaking my word, and I don't believe I could do that.

Alathea came in in time for luncheon. Her face was set in a mutinous

obstinate mould. We went into the dining-room immediately, and so there

was no chance of conversation. I noticed that she wore no bracelets or

rings, nothing of mine, not even the wedding ring.

We were icy to each other during the meal, and made conversation, and

when we were alone with the coffee I just said: "I hope that you have not forgotten that at four o'clock we are to go to

the Duchesse's to meet the friends that she thinks it is suitable for

you to know."

Alathea started. I could see she had not registered this fact for this

date.

"I would rather not go," she said resentfully.

"I daresay you would. So would I, but we owe the Duchesse gratitude for

all her kindness to us, and I fear we must."

We did not speak further. I could not talk until she apologized, and I

rose to go out of the room. She gave me my crutch. Her not apologizing

made me burn with resentment.

I had not been in the salon a minute, however, before she came in, her

face crimson. She stood in front of me.

"I apologize for showing my temper this morning. Would it not do after

to-day if I just lived out somewhere, and came in and worked as before?

It is a perfect farce that I live here, and wear a wedding ring, even

the servants must be laughing at me."

"I notice you do not wear a wedding ring. Your whole attitude is

perfectly impossible, and I demand an explanation. What is the reason of

it? We made a bargain, and you are not keeping it."

"If you will give me time to work, I will pay you back the fifty

thousand francs, and the clothes and jewels I can leave behind me--I

want to go."

She spoke with a break in her voice now.

"Why do you want to go suddenly, there is nothing different to-day to

yesterday or any other day? I refuse to be the puppet of your caprices."

She stood clasping and unclasping her hands, never looking at me.

"Alathea," I said sternly, "look me straight in the face and tell me the

truth. What is your reason."