'Nobody--nothing. Brother, if you bid me speak to-day, I will speak. No one has a better right to command. But if this--this person--were to die to-day, my proofs are so ample that there could be no doubt possible. Yes--even my mother--it is dreadful to say it--but she is so hard and so obstinate--even my mother would acknowledge that there is no doubt possible.' Athelstan stooped and kissed her. 'Order it exactly as you please, my child. If I have waited eight long years, I can wait another week. Another week. Then I shall at last be able to speak of my people at home. I shall go back to California with belongings like other men. I shall be able to make friends; I can even, if it comes in my way, make love, Elsie. Do you think you understand quite what this means to me?' He left her presently to go about his work. In the corner of the room stood her easel with the portrait, the fancy portrait, of Mr. Dering the Benevolent--Mr. Dering the Optimist--Mr. Dering as he might be with the same features and the least little change in their habitual setting. Elsie stood before this picture, looking at it curiously. 'Yes,' she murmured, 'you are a dear, tender-hearted, kindly, benevolent, simple old Thing. You believe in human nature: you think that everybody is longing for the Kingdom of Heaven. You think that everybody would be comfortable in it: that everybody longs for honesty. Before I altered you and improved your face, you were Justice without mercy: you were Law without leniency: you were Experience which knows that all men are wicked by choice when they get the chance: you had no soft place anywhere: you held that Society exists only for the preservation of Property. Oh! you are so much more lovable now, if you would only think so--if you only knew. You believe in men and women: that is a wonderful advance--and you have done well to change your old name to your new name. I think I should like you always to be Edmund Gray. But how am I to tell you? How, in the name of wonder, am I to tell you that you are Edmund Gray? First of all, I must see you-- I must break the thing gently-- I must force you somehow to recollect, as soon as possible. I must make you somehow understand what has happened.'