However ludicrous the result may look in the last analysis, it is clear that a faculty such as Stonor's for overrating the value of the individual in the scheme of things, does seem more effectually than any mere patent of nobility to confer upon a man the 'divine right' to dictate to his fellows and to look down upon them. The thing is founded on illusion, but it is founded as firm as many another figment that has governed men and seen the generations come to heel and go crouching to their graves. But the shining superiority of the man seemed to be a little dimmed for the woman sitting there. The old face and the new face, she saw them both through a cloud of long-past memories and a mist of present tears. 'Well, have they primed you?' she said very low. 'Have you got your lesson--by heart at last?' He looked at her from immeasurable distance. 'I am not sure that I understand you,' he said. He waited an instant, then, seeing no explanation vouchsafed, 'However unpropitious your mood may be,' he went on with a satirical edge in his tone, 'I shall discharge my errand.' Still she waited. Her silence seemed to irritate him. 'I have promised,' he said, with a formality that smacked of insolence, 'to offer you what I believe is called "amends."' The quick change in the brooding look should have warned him. 'You have come to realize, then--after all these years--that you owed me something?' He checked himself on the brink of protest. 'I am not here to deny it.' 'Pay, then,' she said fiercely--'pay.' A moment's dread flickered in his eye and then was gone. 'I have said that, if you exact it, I will.' 'Ah! If I insist, you'll "make it all good"! Then, don't you know, you must pay me in kind?' He looked down upon her--a long, long way. 'What do you mean?' 'Give me back what you took from me--my old faith,' she said, with shaking voice. 'Give me that.' 'Oh, if you mean to make phrases----' He half turned away, but the swift words overtook him. 'Or, give me back mere kindness--or even tolerance! Oh, I don't mean _your_ tolerance.' She was on her feet to meet his eyes as he faced her again. 'Give me back the power to think fairly of my brothers--not as mockers--thieves.' 'I have not mocked you. And I have asked you----' 'Something you knew I should refuse. Or'--her eyes blazed--'or did you dare to be afraid I wouldn't?' 'Oh, I suppose'--he buttressed his good faith with bitterness--'I suppose if we set our teeth we could----' 'I couldn't--not even if I set my teeth. And you wouldn't dream of asking me if you thought there was the smallest chance.' Ever so faintly he raised his heavy shoulders. 'I can do no more than make you an offer of such reparation as is in my power. If you don't accept it----' He turned away with an air of '_that's_ done.' But her emotion had swept her out of her course. She found herself at his side.