“I take it, Miss Duveen, that you are Eve’s very good friend.” “I hope so.” “That is exactly why I have come to you. Understand me, Eve is not to know that I have been here.” “Thank you. Please dictate what you please.” “I will. I want you to tell me just how she is—if she is in really bearable surroundings?” Kate’s eyes studied him over her books. Here was something more vital than German philosophy. “Mr. Canterton, I ought to tell you that I know a little of what has happened this summer. Not that Eve is a babbler——” “I am glad that you know.” “Really. I should not have thought that you would be glad.” “I am. Will you answer my question?” “And may I ask what claim you have to be told anything about Eve?” He answered her quietly, “I have no right at all.” A smile, very like a glimmer of approval, flickered in her eyes. “You recognise that. Wasn’t it rather a pity——” “Miss Duveen, I have not come here to justify anything. I wanted a fine, working comradeship, and Eve showed me, that for a particular reason, it was impossible. Till I met her there was nothing on earth so dear to me as my child, Lynette. When Eve came into my life she shared it with the child. Is it monstrous or impertinent that I should desire to know whether she is in the way of being happy?” Kate saw in him a man different from the common crowd of men, and Eve’s defence of him recurred to her. His frankness was the frankness of strength. His bronzed head, with its blue eyes and generous mouth began to take on a new dignity. “Mr. Canterton, I am not an admirer of men.” “You should have studied flowers.” “Thank you. I will answer your question. Eve is earning a living. It is not luxury, but it is better than most women workers can boast of. She works hard. And she has ambitions.” He answered at once. “I am glad of that. Ambition—the drive of life, is everything. You have given me good news.” Kate Duveen sat in thought a moment, staring at the pages of German philosophy. “Mr. Canterton, I’m interested. I am going to be intrusive. Is it possible for a man to be impersonal?” “Yes, and no. It depends upon the plane to which one has climbed.” “You could be impersonally kind to Eve.” “I think that I told you that I am very fond of my youngster, Lynette. That is personal and yet impersonal. It is not of the flesh.” She nodded her head, and he rose. “I will ask you to promise me two things.” “What are they?” “That if Eve should wish to see Lynette, I may leave the child here, and call for her again after Eve has gone?” Kate considered the point. “Yes, that’s sensible enough. I can see no harm in it. And the other thing?” “That if Eve should be in trouble at any time, you will promise to let me know?” She looked at him sharply. “Wait! It flashed across your mind that I am waiting for my opportunity? You are descending to the level of the ordinary man whom you despise. I asked this, because I should want to help her without her knowing.”