“I trust more to my own conviction than to your denial. You have engaged to bring your superior wisdom and your immense experience to bear upon me! That ‘s the understanding.” “You must think us a pretty pair of wiseacres,” said Bernard. “There it is--you already begin to answer for what I think. When Mr. Wright comes back you will be able to tell him that I am ‘outrageous’!” And she turned away and walked on, slowly following her companions. “What do you care what I tell him?” Bernard asked. “You don’t care a straw.” She said nothing for a moment, then, suddenly, she stopped again, dropping her eyes. “I beg your pardon,” she said, very gently; “I care a great deal. It ‘s as well that you should know that.” Bernard stood looking at her; her eyes were still lowered. “Do you know what I shall tell him? I shall tell him that about eleven o’clock at night you become peculiarly attractive.” She went on again a few steps; Miss Evers and Captain Lovelock had turned round and were coming toward her. “It is very true that I am outrageous,” she said; “it was extremely silly and in very bad taste to come out at this hour. Mamma was not at all pleased, and I was very unkind to her. I only wanted to take a turn, and now we will go back.” On the others coming up she announced this resolution, and though Captain Lovelock and his companion made a great outcry, she carried her point. Bernard offered no opposition. He contented himself with walking back to her mother’s lodging with her almost in silence. The little winding streets were still and empty; there was no sound but the chatter and laughter of Blanche and her attendant swain. Angela said nothing.