"Her mother is a person of very strong character; her husband is absorbed in business, and defers to her in everything." "It isn't an uncommon American situation," said Colville, relieving his tension by this excursion. Mrs. Bowen ignored it. "I don't know how she may look at the affair. She may give her assent at once, or she may decide that nothing has taken place till--she sees you." "I could hardly blame her for that," he answered submissively. "It isn't a question of that," said Mrs. Bowen. "It's a question of--others. Mr. Morton was here before you came, and I know he was interested in Imogene--I am certain of it. He has come back, and he sees no reason why he should not renew his attentions." "No--o--o," faltered Colville. "I wish you to realise the fact." "But what would you----" "I told you," said Mrs. Bowen, with a full return of that severity whose recent absence Colville had found so comfortable, "that I can't advise or suggest anything at all." He was long and miserably silent. At last, "Did you ever think," he asked, "did you ever suppose--that is to say, did you ever suspect that--she--that Imogene was--at all interested in him?" "I think she was--at one time," said Mrs. Bowen promptly. Colville sighed, with a wandering disposition to whistle. "But that is nothing," she went on. "People have many passing fancies. The question is, what are you going to do now? I want to know, as Mr. Morton's friend." "Ah, I wish you wanted to know as _my_ friend, Mrs. Bowen!" A sudden thought flashed upon him. "Why shouldn't I go away from Florence till Imogene hears from her mother? That seemed to me right in the first place. There is no tie that binds her to me. I hold her to nothing. If she finds in my absence that she likes this young man better--" An expression of Mrs. Bowen's face stopped him. He perceived that he had said something very shocking to her; he perceived that the thing was shocking in itself, but it was not that which he cared for. "I don't mean that I won't hold myself true to her as long as she will. I recognise my responsibility fully. I know that I am answerable for all this, and that no one else is; and I am ready to bear any penalty. But what I can't bear is that you should misunderstand me, that you should--I have been so wretched ever since you first began to blame me for my part in this, and so happy this past fortnight that I can't--I _won't_--go back to that state of things. No; you have no right to relent toward me, and then fling me off as you have tried to do to-night! I have some feeling too--some rights. You shall receive me as a friend, or not at all! How can I live if you----" She had been making little efforts as if to rise; now she forced herself to her feet, and ran from the room.