For of a sudden the spring of my energies was slackened within me, and the work that I was doing seemed senseless. Somehow a man's happiness had slipped past me on the road, and now I missed it. There was the joy we might have had, she and I, and we had not taken it. Had we been fools to put it aside? She answered my thoughts. "We did not want it! Remember we did not want that! Don't let me think that, after all, you regret! I could not stand that--no woman could bear it." Her voice was like a cry to my soul. On the stairs above Mr. Dround was saying to Sarah:-- "No, I much prefer our Chicago style of building, with large lots, where you can get sunshine on all four sides. It is more healthy, don't you think, Mrs. Harrington?" And Sarah answered:-- "Yes, I quite agree with you, Mr. Dround. I don't like this house at all--it's too dark. We shall have to look farther, I guess." Jane turned her face to mine. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her mouth trembled. "Don't regret--anything," she whispered. "We have had so much!" "Van," Sarah called from the stairs, "you haven't seen the house! But it isn't worth while. I am sure we shouldn't like it." "You mustn't look for your Chicago garden on Fifth Avenue," Mrs. Dround laughed. As we left the house, Sarah turned to Jane and asked her to come back with us to the hotel for dinner. But the Drounds had an engagement for the evening, and so an appointment was made for the day following to dine together. When we had said good-by and were in the carriage, Sarah remarked reflectively:-- "Jane looks like an old woman--don't you think so, Van?" CHAPTER XXVIII A NEW AMBITION _Jane Dround points the way again--The shoes of Parkinson and the senatorial toga--Strauss is dead--Business or politics?--A dream of wealth--The family sail for Europe_ "I am writing Sarah that after all we cannot dine with you. My husband is restless and feels that we must leave for the West to-night. It was very sweet of Sarah to want us, but after all perhaps it is just as well. We shall see you both soon, I am sure....