"In a certain sense?" repeated Mary Alcestis, warily. "He would do no prying. He would use the material you gave him and ask no questions. He would consult no one but you and perhaps Thomasina whose recollection of Basil should have value." "I told her," sobbed Mrs. Lister. "I think I had a sort of hysteria. I didn't know what I was saying." "What did she say?" "She said I was a fool." Dr. Lister could not restrain a smile. "That was a hard word from Thomasina. I should think it would have done you good." "It didn't," said Mrs. Lister. "If Scott could do this work, he would do it admirably and I believe it would be the greatest satisfaction of his life. I think he might even forget Mrs. Scott for a while." "It has come upon me too suddenly. Richard should be consulted. It is Richard whom it most concerns." "I shall write to Richard." "I must see what you write!" "Surely." Dr. Lister helped Mary Alcestis to bed, then he stated his views to Richard and also her views and Dr. Scott's views. In the morning he read her the letter. "I think you are a little hard on Basil," said she and wept. In four days Dr. Lister had an answer. The envelope contained two sheets. "Dear Mother," read one, "I am willing for you and father to do as you think best about Basil Everman's writings." On the other sheet Richard had written, "Dear Father, I do not give a hang for Basil Everman. Do as you please." Dr. Lister jumped. Richard! Smiling broadly, he started upstairs to show both letters; then he returned from the hall and dropped Richard's note to him in fine pieces into the waste-paper basket. "I must be losing my mind!" said he. CHAPTER XXII A CONFIDENCE BETRAYED When she returned from Mrs. Lister's bedside, Thomasina sat for a long time looking into her garden. The light shimmered above the flower-beds, the plants were drooping. The air even in her cool room was heavy and hard to breathe. Summoned to lunch, she ate only enough to prevent alarmed inquiries from 'Melia, then she went upstairs. She took off her dress and put on a cool and flowing gown and lay down upon her couch and closed her eyes. After a while she rose and opened a drawer in her bureau and took out a little inlaid box, and from it lifted a package of letters. She did not read them or even open the package, but looked at them and laid them back. Once more she lay down upon her couch and hot tears rolled from under her eyelids and out upon her cheeks. After a long time she fell asleep. In the morning she went again to Dr. Green's office. She rang the bell and entered and sat down to wait Virginia's pleasure, almost certain that Dr. Green had not come back. When Virginia appeared, lithe and shapely and deliberate of motion, Thomasina had reached a point which she seldom allowed herself even to approach. Virginia looked in consternation at her flushed face. "You sure you not sick, Miss Thomas'?" "No, Virginia. Has the doctor come?" "No, Miss Thomas'."