I have always felt indignant with the people who collect musical instruments which they have no intention of playing; who lock up Strads and Cremonas in glass cases, thus holding them dumb for ever to the eager ear of a listening world." Only once, when he had put into a story a tender little name by which Helen sometimes called him, unable to resist giving his hero the bliss he, on those rare occasions, himself felt--he found a firm pencil line drawn through the words, when he looked at the proof sheets, after Helen had returned them to his desk.

She never mentioned the matter to him, nor did he speak of it to her; but his hero had to forego that particular thrill, and it was a long time before Ronald himself heard again the words Helen had deleted.
He heard them now, however--murmured very softly; and he caught her to him with sudden passion, kissing her hair.
Yet he meant to go.

_In hoc vince_.

He must conquer his very need of her, if it came between him and the best thing he had yet done in his work.
He could not face the thought of the parting; but there was no need to face that as yet.

A whole fortnight intervened.