'Bruce, I am not going to take Miss Townsend away with us. She is not coming any more.' 'Not--Why? What the devil's the idea of this new scheme? What's the matter with Miss Townsend?' 'Bruce,' answered Edith, 'I prefer not to go into the question, and later you will be glad I did not. I've decided that Miss Townsend is not to come any more at all. I've written to tell her so. I'll look after the children with nurse until we come back.... It's all settled.' Bruce was silent. 'Well upon my word!' he exclaimed, looking at her uneasily. 'Have it your own way, of course--but upon my word! Why?' 'Do you really want me to tell you exactly why? I would so much prefer not.' 'Oh, all right, Edith dear; after all--hang it all--you're the children's mother--it's for you to settle.... No, I don't want to know anything. Have it as you wish.' 'Then we won't discuss it again. Shall we?' 'All right.' He was looking really rather shamefaced, and she thought she saw a gleam of remorse and also of relief in his eye. She went into the other room. She had not shown him Aylmer's letter. After ten minutes he came in and said: 'Look here, Edith. Make what arrangements you like. _I_ never want to see--Miss Townsend again.' She looked a question. 'And I never shall.' She was really pleased at this, and held out her hand. Bruce had tears in his eyes as he took it. 'Edith, old girl, I think I'll go round to the club for an hour or two.' 'Do. And look here, Bruce, leave it to me to tell the children. They'll forget after the holidays. Archie must not be upset.' 'Whatever you do, Edith, will be--what I mean to say is that--Well, good night; I sha'n't be long.' Edith was really delighted, she felt she had won, and she _did_ want that horrid little Townsend to be scored off! Wasn't it natural? She wanted to hear no more about it. There was a ring. It was nine o'clock. It was Aylmer's voice. CHAPTER XXI The Great Exception The absurdly simple explanation, made almost in dumb show, by action rather than in dialogue, was soon given. He was surprised, simply enchanted, at the entire frankness of her recognition; she acknowledged openly that it mattered to her tremendously whether or not he was on intimate terms or flirting with little Miss Argles, or with little Miss anybody. He was not even to look at any woman except herself, that was arranged between them now and understood. They were side by side, with hands clasped as a matter of course, things taken for granted that he formerly never dreamt of. The signs of emotion in her face he attributed of course to the morning's contretemps, knowing nothing of the other trouble. 'It's heavenly being here again. You're prettier than ever, Edith; sweeter than ever. What a time I had away. It got worse and worse.' 'Dear Aylmer!' 'You're far too good and kind to me. But I _have_ suffered--awfully.' 'So have I, since this morning. I felt--' 'What did you feel? Tell me!' 'Must I?' 'Yes!'