And presently her beautiful cultivated voice was flowing along. It was an article in the _Saturday Review_ she had picked up, and I did not take in what it was about. I was gazing into the glowing logs, and trying to see visions, and gain any inspiration of how to find a way out of this tangle of false impression. I must wait and see, and endeavor when we get more accustomed to one another--somehow to let Alathea know the truth. When she finished the pages she stopped. "I think he is quite right," she said, but I had not heard what the argument was, so I could only say "Yes!" "Will it interest you going to England?" I then asked. "I dare say." "I have a place there you know. Shall you care to live in it after the war is over?" "I believe it is the duty of people to live in their homes if they have inherited them as a trust." "And I can always count upon you to do your duty." "I hope so." Then I exerted myself and talked to her about politics and what were my views and aims. She entered into this stiffly, and so an hour passed, but all the time I could feel that her inner self was disturbed, and more resentful and rebellious than ever. We had been two puppets making conversation all the time, neither had said anything naturally. At last the pretense ended, and we went to our separate rooms to dress for dinner. Burton had returned by now, and I told him of the detestable thing which had happened, at which he was much concerned. "Best of her sort was Mam'zelle, Sir Nicholas, but I've always said they bring trouble, every one of them,--if I may make so bold!" And as I hobbled back into the salon to meet my wife for our first dinner alone, once more I heartily agreed with him! XXIII Alathea looked perfectly lovely when she came into the salon dressed for dinner. It is the first time I have seen her in anything pertaining to the evening. She had a gauzy tea-gown on, of a shade of blue like her eyes. Her nut brown hair was beautifully done, with the last "look" like Coralie's, showing her tiny head. Whether she likes it or no, I must give her some pearl earrings, and my mother's pearls. That will be a moment! But I had better wait a little while. Her eyes were shining with excitement or resentment, or a mixture of both. She was purely feminine. She intended to attract me I am certain, her subconscious mind did at all events, even though she would not have admitted it to herself. She was smarting still about Suzette. The situation fills her with distrust and uneasiness, but I know now, after analysing every point, when I could not sleep last night, that she is not really indifferent to me. And it is because she is not, that she is angry. I registered a vow that I would _make_ her love me without explaining about Suzette, fate can let her find out for herself.