"I'm not concerned for her; she's just a--woman," said Lorraine curtly. "No--you're not concerned for her," replied Cameron slowly; "not concerned further than every man is concerned for a woman--that she gets fair play and a square deal." "I'm perfectly willing for Society even to forget her past, if it wishes," said Lorraine. "I'm not vindictive. I'm indifferent. I'm done with her forever." "You look at it in the proper spirit, old man," Cameron encouraged. "The time when men took the law into their own hands is past--with one exception, possibly. Your course is dignified, and thoroughly within your rights." It had been easier than he had anticipated. Lorraine was steadier than he had thought--had borne the meeting with reasonable fortitude, considering the circumstances and the provocation. He leaned over and put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Old fellow," he said, "don't misunderstand me--but--don't let your feelings run away with you and say things to others that you will regret. You'll have plenty to try you--plenty to make you forget--plenty to anger you--but don't! don't! Bear in mind that this is an occasion when silence is more than golden." "I've been fairly steady--don't you think?" Lorraine asked. "I came down here to avoid people--to get away. If I only could get away from myself it would be much better for me. My thoughts are what madden." "Don't think," advised Cameron--"it may be difficult--but try it." "I've got to try it--I've nothing else to do," was the bitter answer. "Good!--you've the right idea!" "I've been doing little else than thinking for the last year and a half," Lorraine continued. "It's the sight of her that stirs it up afresh, just when I thought it overcome. I tell you, Cameron, you must go through what I've gone through, loving your wife, to understand and appreciate. It is well enough for you and the rest of my friends to caution prudence--to resume the old life--to forget--to choose the expedient way--but try it! only try it!" He brought his fist down on the table. "It will be the damnedest hardest thing you have ever attempted!" "There is no possible doubt of that, Lorraine," Cameron agreed. "But you're up against a hard proposition--one that tries men's souls, and takes a man to meet and handle. You've handled it with great credit thus far, old chap, and I want to see you handle it so to the end. We're all interested, you know--interested because we're your friends." "I know you are," said Lorraine. "I appreciate your regard more than I can say. I'm not going to make a scene with--Stephanie; nor do anything to Amherst--if he keeps away from me. This unexpected meeting with her hasn't bereft me of quite all my senses--though it did stagger me for a moment. I'm all right now, Cameron. I'll be strictly conventional, hereafter, never fear." "I'm not afraid," Cameron smiled. "The fateful moment has passed. You'll be right as a trivet henceforth."