"What?" she said, noticing his sudden embarrassment. He could not keep from his face a new consciousness, but he went on lamely: "Why did Miss Charters come back?" She laughed at what his manner revealed, and said: "So that’s it! I told you she came when I telephoned her." "Yes, but why did you do that?" "Because I noticed her agitation and the way she watched one person in particular." "Mrs. Bloodgood?" "Yes." "What did she tell you?" "She had seen Mrs. Bloodgood pick up the ring and try it on," said Mrs. Kildair. "The circumstances did seem suspicious, for Mrs. Bloodgood looked up in the mirror and saw her watching her. Miss Charters did not know whether she had returned it, I suppose. That was all. It did look bad—considering what happened afterward." "That was it, then," said Beecher, satisfied. He raised his head and saw Mrs. Kildair’s eyes on him intently. "Well?" he said with an innocent expression. "How far has it gone?" said Mrs. Kildair. "What?" "Are you in love with Miss Charters?" "I wonder," he said evasively. "Are you serious?" she asked quickly. "And if I said yes—" "You are thinking of marriage?" "And if I were?" "You’d be a big fool," she said decisively. He raised his eyebrows, astonished and wounded. "You say this—the day before your own?" "Come here," she said, taking him by the wrist and leading him to the sofa. "Sit down there. Are you really seriously thinking of marriage?" "Yes, I am." She drew back in her chair, looking at him in doubt. "Teddy," she said at last, "you are too worth while to be spoiled like that. You have been too loyal a friend for me not to keep you from this blunder." "But, good heavens, am I not a responsible being?" "Listen," she said, cutting him off. She glanced at the clock. "I haven’t much time, so don’t interrupt me. I am very fond of you and what I say is in kindness. Yes, I am going to marry, and yet I say to you that you should not. I understand what it means. I have nothing to learn. There are two kinds of marriages, Teddy. The marriage that ninety-nine persons out of a hundred make—the marriage that is a joining of forces to fight the battle of life—has a definite object. The wife is the helpmate. The serious thing is to live, to pay the bills and to save a little money. You have nothing to do with that kind of marriage. The other kind of marriage is the marriage our sort makes, most of the time—no responsibilities, no object, and no struggle. You take a wife to help you enjoy yourself, and your enjoyment depends on piling up new sensations—in never being bored. Happiness in such conditions is a miracle. As a matter of fact, it is not a marriage at all, it is simply a liaison." "Even then?"