“Ida would never consent to a divorce,” he said heavily. “She’s got all sorts of old-fashioned American ideals. The West has the reputation for being lawless, and it’s got more Puritans to the square inch than are left in New England. Ida’s one of them.” “She may have acquired more liberal ideas in Europe.” “She told me that she didn’t care if she never saw Europe again. Last night I had quite a long talk with her before the others came in for dinner. She said she thought it the duty of Western women--particularly the women of the newer Northwest--to live in their native state and only go away occasionally in order to bring something back to it. She intimated that you put that idea into her head when you two first met.” “Oh, yes, I believe that to be right, whatever I may do, myself.” “What is your idea in going to Europe to live? You are just the sort of woman the West needs.” He bit out his words in the effort to be calm and casual. “I don’t feel that I have any place here.” Gregory started on a restless walk up and down the room. “Look at here,” he shot out finally, “are you--I haven’t said anything about it--but--of course I’ve wanted to--are you determined to leave Mark? He’s one of the best fellows in the world. I hate to see him thrown down. You--you--I think you should reconsider.” “I had done all my considering before I spoke to Mark. I am doing him the greatest possible kindness. He needs another sort of woman altogether to make him happy. And I? Have I not my right to happiness? Do you think I could find it with Mark?” “No!” The word exploded. “And you--shall you marry again?” “I don’t know.” Ora spoke in a strangled voice. New possibilities were shaking her to her foundations. For a moment the perverse imp in the purely feminine section of her brain counselled her to run away as ever from the serious mood in man, to play with great issues and then dodge them. But she brushed the prompting aside with frantic haste and summoned her courage. If this was happiness coming to her grasp she would seize it. Gregory came swiftly back from the farther end of the room and stood before her. He had set the muscles of the lower part of his face so tightly that he could hardly open his mouth, but his narrow eyes were blazing. “If Ida would give me my freedom,” he said, “I should want to marry you. Do you understand?” Ora stood up. Her white face was so radiant that Gregory fell back. “You love me?” he asked. “Yes.--Oh, yes----” “You would marry me?” “Yes!”