That way was closed. She must tell herself over and over. For her own sake, for the sake of Aunt Kate and Aunt Marianna, for Rose even, she must not think of that. Above all, for his sake--for Chris, the fine, good, self-sacrificing Chris of her first friendship, she must be strong. And Norma, at this point in her circling and confused thoughts, would drop her face in the crook of her bent arm, and the tears would brim over again and again. She was not strong. She could not be strong. And she was afraid. CHAPTER XXIII Regina, coming through the hallway at seven o'clock, was amazed to encounter Miss Sheridan, evidently fresh from a bath, a black hat tipped over her smiling eyes, and her big fur coat belted about her. Norma's vigil had lasted until after two o'clock, but then she had had four hours of restful sleep, for she knew that she had found the way. She left a message with Regina for Mrs. Melrose; she was going to Mrs. Sheridan's, and would telephone in a day or two. Smiling, she slipped out into the quiet street, where the autumn sunlight was just beginning to strike across the damp pavements, and smilingly she disappeared into the great currents of men and women who were already pouring to and fro along the main thoroughfares. But she did not go quite as far as her aunt's, after all. For perhaps fifteen minutes she waited on the corner of the block, walking slowly to and fro, watching the house closely. Then Wolf Sheridan came out, and set off at his usual brisk walk toward the subway. Norma stepped before him, trembling and smiling. "Nono--for the Lord's sake! Where did you come from?" He took her suit-case from her as she caught his arm, drew him aside, and looked up at him with her old childish air of coaxing. "Wolf----! I've been waiting for you. Wolf, I'm in trouble!" She laughed at his concern. "Not real trouble!" she reassured him, quickly. "But--but----" And suddenly tears came, and she found she could not go on. "Is it a man?" Wolf asked, looking down at her with everything that was brotherly and kind in his young face. "Yes," Norma answered, not raising her eyes from the overcoat button that she was pushing in and out of its hold. "Wolf," she added, quickly, "I'm afraid of him, and afraid of myself! You--you told me months ago----" She looked up, suffocating. "I know what I told you!" Wolf said, clearing his throat. "And--do you still feel--that way?" "You know I do, Norma," Wolf said, more concerned for her emotion than his own. "Do you--do you want me to send this--this fellow about his business?" "Oh, no!" she said, laughing nervously. "I don't want any one to know it; nobody must dream it! I can't marry him, I shall never marry him. But--he won't let me alone. Wolf----" She seemed to herself to be getting no nearer her point, and now she seized her courage in both hands, and looked up at him bravely. "Will you--take care of me?" she faltered. "I mean--I mean as your wife?"