Ever since the concert Glenn had tried to think only of his work. His calmness at such a crisis at first led him into the belief that it would be easy to hold himself in check. The revelation that had come to him upon that night had been the work of a strong thing but for a moment. What he was now he would remain. How little did he dream of what a sharp conflict he would have in the strife to conquer himself. He could not stay away too long--he looked upon it in a measure as his duty to see how the infrequent visits were affecting her. It was not until he was taking up his hat to leave that he approached the subject of Stephen Kent as her escort to the next musicale. “He will be very glad to have you go with him.” Glenn pressed her hand in his and he saw tears in her eyes. “Esther!” He laid aside his hat, drew her down beside him on the divan. He could not leave until he had traced those tears to their source. “What does this mean, tell me?” “Oh, don’t ask me that!” She folded her hands before her as if in mute emphasis. He was not suspicious, but this made him afraid--he felt as if something had struck him. “Did Stephen Kent dare to hurt you. If so, it’s my fault--I introduced you to him.” “Oh, Mr. Glenn, let it go, but nothing would induce me to go with him again.” She felt the color go out of her face as she became conscious of his fixed gaze. “Where has your frankness and freedom gone?” He drew her toward him and compelled her to meet his eyes. His voice was full of power. “You must tell me what Stephen Kent has done.” “You like him; I am afraid you will be angry, disappointed.” She made no effort to free herself. He could not draw a confession from her as he sat some minutes waiting. “Have you that little confidence in my friendship?” “I don’t want to make you feel that you have not the friendship of that man.” “Then you know that I haven’t.” “I know that he told me horrid, false things of your life abroad, and tried to make me lean upon him instead of you. He tried to persuade me to do all the things and go to all the places that you had warned me of. If I had known by nothing else that would have made me know it would be wrong--wickedly wrong.” “Wolf!” He could scarcely hold his grasp for the trembling of his hands. “I’ll settle with Stephen Kent,” he said, aloud. “He must answer to me for this.” Glenn Andrews’ face looked manlier than ever in its rage. Esther’s heart stood still for a moment, then beat wildly in its fear. “Don’t risk yourself for me. I’m so sorry I told you.” “Now I shall take care of myself and of him also. Don’t be fretting about the outcome. This is the last time you need be annoyed with it.” He stroked her hair, and there was a calming tenderness in the way he did it. She could have borne the indignity alone if only Glenn had not brought the subject up. She had never meant to tell it to anyone.