“D’you mean he stopped you?” “He did. I was shrinking past the man; but that wouldn’t do. He spoke, and I couldn’t believe my ears, for I’d got to think he was my black angel, naturally enough. But instead of anything like that, he let the dead past bury the past in a very gentlemanly manner.” “Did he?” “Yes, and I stood in a dream to hear his familiar voice, just friendly and kind.” “‘Friendly and kind!’” exclaimed Kellock. “When was he ever friendly and kind to you?” “Before—before we fell out. It was like going back to the old, old days, before he turned on me and drove me to you.” “He’s learned his lesson then. That’s to the good. But what had he to say to you? It’s for us to talk to him now. And it’s for him to act, not to talk.” “He knows all that. Anything like the reasonableness of the man you never heard. I couldn’t believe my ears. He’s not going to do anything wrong—far from it. He wants to see you on Monday evening at half-past eight, please.” “Does he?” “Yes. He’s turned it all over in his mind, and seen his mistakes and regrets the sad past.” “How do you know he does?” “He said so, and, with all his faults, he’s quite as truthful as you are, Jordan. And to show it, he’s not going to do anything about damages. He feels that wouldn’t be right. He’s a very just man. He didn’t only say things I was glad to hear either. He told me some bitter truths. He said that I’d never be the right wife for you, Jordan.” “And you let him?” “No, I didn’t. I wasn’t going to hear that, of course. But he’s got a brain—more than we thought—and he said that to a man of your disposition—but if I’m going to vex you, I’ll leave that alone. Only don’t think he spoke unkindly. And when you consider what it meant to him my leaving him—” “What did he say about my disposition?” interrupted Kellock. “I’ve a right to know that before I see him, Medora.” “He said that you’ve got a mind far above women—that a wife to you would be less than what a wife is to an ordinary man. Because you’re all intellect and great thoughts for the welfare of everybody, so that the welfare of one, even your own wife, would be a small thing by comparison.” “How little he knows!” “So I told him.” She proceeded and surprised Kellock further. “D’you mean,” he asked presently, “that he could stop you in the open road and talk like this and say all these wise things, as if he was your brother? It’s contrary to nature, and I don’t understand it.” “More did I,” she answered. “I felt in a dream about it. He might have been a brother. That’s the very word. And last night, as I lay and thought, it came into my head in a very curious way that between you and him as things are, I’ve got two brothers and no husband at all. And God knows, Jordan, if it wouldn’t be better to leave it at that, and let me go free. For if I could win the respect of two such men as you and him by stopping as I am and being wife of neither, it might turn out a lot better for all three of us.”