"Because even if I've been a coward that's no reason why I should be a cad." Nona was buttoning her coat and clasping her fur about her neck with quick precise movements, as if wrapping herself close against the treacherous sweetness that was beginning to creep into her veins. Suddenly she felt she could not remain a moment longer in that stifling room, face to face with that stifling misery. "The better woman's got him--let her keep him," she said. She put out her hand, and for a moment Aggie's cold damp fingers lay in hers. Then they were pulled away, and Aggie caught Nona by the sleeve. "But Nona, listen! I don't understand you. Isn't it what you've always wanted?" "Oh, more than anything in life!" the girl cried, turning breathlessly away. The outer door swung shut on her, and on the steps she stood still and looked back at the ruins on which she had pictured herself sitting with Aggie Heuston. "I do believe," she murmured to herself, "I know most of the new ways of being rotten; I only wish I was sure I knew the best new way of being decent..." _BOOK III_ XX AT the gates of Cedarledge Pauline lifted her head from a last hurried study of the letters and papers Maisie Bruss had thrust into the motor. The departure from town had been tumultuous. Up to the last minute there had been the usual rush and trepidation, Maisie hanging on the footboard, Powder and the maid hurrying down with final messages and recommendations. "Here's another batch of bills passed by the architect, Mrs. Manford. And he asks if you'd mind--" "Yes, yes; draw another cheque for five thousand, Maisie, and send it to me with the others to be signed." "And the estimates for the new orchid-house. The contractor says building-materials are going up again next week, and he can't guarantee, unless you telephone at once--" "Has madame the jewel-box? I put it under the rug myself, with madame's motor-bag." "Thank you, Cécile. Yes, it's here." "And is the Maison Herminie to deliver the green and gold teagown here or--" "Here are the proofs of the Birth Control speech, Mrs. Manford. If you could just glance over them in the motor, and let me have them back tonight--" "The Marchesa, madam, has called up to ask if you and Mr. Manford can receive her at Cedarledge for the next week-end--" "No, Powder; say no. I'm dreadfully sorry..." "Very good, madam. I understand it was to bring a favourable answer from the Cardinal--" "Oh; very well. I'll see. I'll telephone from Cedarledge." "Please, madam, Mr. Wyant's just telephoned--" "Mr. Wyant, Powder?" "Mr. Arthur Wyant, madam. To ask--" "But Mr. Wyant and Mr. James were to have started for Georgia last night." "Yes, madam; but Mr. James was detained by business, and now Mr. Arthur Wyant asks if you'll please ring up before they leave tonight." "Very well. (What can have happened, Nona? You don't know?) Say I've started for Cedarledge, Powder; I'll ring up from there. Yes; that's all."