The automobile was running at an even fifteen miles an hour down a broad, unobstructed parkway. He could turn his eyes from his business and let his hands guide. So he looked full at her, as he said: "She may have a hard time keeping you away from this physician!" That, it seemed, amused her. The strain in her face gave way to a smile. "For yourself, she likes you, I think," said Annette. "She has a most apt and happy way of showing it," he responded, his slights rising up in him. "You mustn't judge her by last night," replied Annette. "Aunt Paula has many manners. I think she assumes that one when she is studying people. Then think of the double reason she has for receiving you coldly--my whole future, as she plans it, hangs on it--and she spoke nicely of you. She likes your eyes and your wit and your manners. But--" "But I am an undesirable acquaintance for her niece just the same!" "Have I not said that you are--the obstacle? Haven't her controls told her that? If not, why did she telegraph to me when she did?" Then, as they turned from the park corner and made towards Riverside Drive, something in her changed. "Must we talk this out whenever we meet? You said once that you would teach me to play. Ah, teach me now! I need it!" And though he turned and twisted back toward the subject, she was pure girl for the next hour. The river breezes blew sparkle into her eyes; the morning intoxicated her tongue. She chattered of the trees, the water, the children on the benches, the gossiping old women. She made him stop to buy chestnuts of an Italian vendor, she led him toward his tales of the Philippines. He plunged into the Islands like a white Othello, charming a super-white Desdemona. It was his story of the burning of Manila which brought him back to the vexation in his mind. "That yarn seemed to make a very small hit last night," he said, turning suddenly upon her. "I didn't like it so much last night," she answered frankly. "What was the matter?" he asked. "Why were you so far away? Were you afraid of Mrs. Markham? I felt like the young man of a summer flirtation calling in the winter. What was it?" "I don't know," she answered. "No--tell me." "There wasn't any reason. I liked you last night as I always like you. But we were far away. Shall I tell you how it seemed to me? I was like an actress on the stage, and you like a man in the audience. I was speaking to you--a part. In no way could you answer me. In no way could I answer you directly. We moved near to each other, but in different worlds. It was something like that." "I suppose"--bitterly--"your Aunt Paula had nothing to do with that?" "You must like Aunt Paula if you are to like me," she warned. "Yet that may have something to do with it. I am wonderfully influenced by what she thinks--as is right." "Then it's coming to a fight between me and your Aunt Paula? For I'll do even that."