"And the amazing part of it all is," Dartrey went on, "that she seeks no reward except just to see the cause prosper. She hasn't the faintest ambition to fill any post in life which could be filled by a man. She would write anonymously if it were possible. She has insight which amounts to inspiration, yet whenever I am with her she makes me feel that her greatest gift is her femininity." "It must be the most wonderful thing in life to have the help of any one like Nora," Tallente said dreamily. "My friend," the other rejoined, "I wish I could make you believe this. There is room in the life of the busiest man in the world for an understanding woman. I'll go further. No man can do his best work without her." "I believe you are right," Tallente assented. His friend pressed his arm kindly. "You've ploughed a lonely furrow for a good many years, Tallente," he said. "Nora talks of you so often and so wistfully. She is such an understanding creature.--No, don't go. Just one whisky and soda. It used to be chocolate, but Nora insists upon making a man of me." Tallente was a little in the shadow of the hall and he witnessed the greeting between Nora and her husband: saw her come out of the study,--a soft, entrancing figure in the little circle of firelight gleaming through the open door. She threw her arms around Dartrey's neck and kissed him. "Dear," she exclaimed, "how early you are! Come and have an easy-chair by the fire and tell me how every one's been behaving." Dartrey, with his arm around her waist, turned to Tallente. "An entirely unrehearsed exhibition, I can assure you, Tallente," he declared. Nora pouted and passed her other arm through Tallente's. "That's just like Stephen," she complained, "advertising his domestic bliss. Never mind, there is room for an easy-chair for you." Tallente took a whisky and soda but declined to sit down. "I walked home with Stephen," he said, "and then I felt I couldn't go away without seeing you just for a moment, Nora." "Dear man," she answered, "I should have been terribly hurt if you had. Do make yourself comfortable by the fire. You will be able to check all that Stephen tells me about the debate to-night. He is so inexact." Tallente shook his head. "I am restless to-night, Nora," he said simply. "I shall walk up to the club." She let him out herself, holding his hand almost tenderly. "Oh, you poor dear thing!" she said. "I do wish I knew--" "What?" "What to wish you--what to hope for you."