He looked at me for a moment, and then answered, abruptly: “Yes, madam.” The secretary rose and went forward. The whirr of the machinery and the strong breeze made by the boat’s motion, made it certain that no one could hear us, and so I began my attack: “Mr. van Tuiver, I am a friend of your wife’s. I came here to help her in this crisis, and I came to-day to meet you because it was necessary for someone to talk to you frankly about the situation. You will understand, I presume, that Mrs. Tuis is not--not very well informed about the matters in question.” His gaze was fixed intently upon me, but he said not a word. After waiting, I continued: “Perhaps you will wonder why your wife’s physicians could not have handled the matter. The reason is, there is a woman’s side to such questions and often it is difficult for men to understand it. If Sylvia knew the truth, she could speak for herself; so long as she does not know it, I shall have to take the liberty of speaking for her.” Again there was a pause. He did nothing more than watch me, yet I could feel his affronted maleness rising up for battle. I waited on purpose to compel him to speak. “May I ask,” he inquired, at last, “what you mean by the ‘truth’ that you refer to?” “I mean,” I said, “the cause of the infant’s affliction.” His composure was a thing to wonder at. He did not show by the flicker of an eyelash any sign of uneasiness. “Let me explain one thing,” I continued. “I owe it to Dr. Perrin to make clear that he had nothing whatever to do with my coming into possession of the secret. In fact, as he will no doubt tell you, I knew it before he did; it is possible that you owe it to me that the infant is not disfigured as well as blind.” I paused again. “If that be true,” he said, with unshaken formality, “I am obliged to you.” What a man! I continued: “My one desire and purpose is to protect my friend. So far, the secret has been kept from her. I consented to this, because her very life was at stake, it seemed to us all. But now she is well enough to know, and the question is SHALL she know. I need hardly tell you that Dr. Perrin thinks she should not, and that he has been using his influence to persuade me to agree with him; so also has Mrs. Tuis----” Then I saw the first trace of uncertainty in his eyes. “There was a critical time,” I explained, “when Mrs. Tuis had to be told. You may be sure, however, that no hint of the truth will be given by her. I am the only person who is troubled with the problem of Sylvia’s rights.” I waited. “May I suggest, Mrs.--Mrs. Abbott--that the protection of Mrs. van Tuiver’s rights can be safely left to her physicians and her husband?” “One would wish so, Mr. van Tuiver, but the medical books are full of evidence that women’s rights frequently need other protection.”