His generous glow of feeling of the night before had passed somewhat, and he was inclined to think that Miss Wildmere's relations to Arnault, whatever they were, placed him, a committed lover, in a rather anomalous position.

Since she was absent, however, he would while away an hour with Madge, and try to solve the riddle she had become.
She greeted him with a slight smile, and went on with her letter.

He watched her curiously and with contracting brow.
"Will you ever finish ?" he soon asked.
"I can read it some other time," she said, laying it down.
"Oh, that is asking far too much!" "Is it ?" "Confound it, Madge! Why is it that we are drifting further and further apart every day ?" "I am not drifting," she said, quietly, "nor do you give that impression.

I am just where you found me on your return.

Since we are so far apart you must be doing the journeying." "Well, Heaven knows I found you distant enough!" "I beg your pardon; Heaven knows nothing of the kind! It's not my fault that you value friendship so lightly." "You know I wished for so much more." "You thought you did at first, Graydon," she replied, with a quiet smile, "but I imagine that you soon became quite reconciled to my view of the case.