AT CROSS-PURPOSES She sat for a moment silent, gazing up the street, but breathing heavily.

This was not the reception she had anticipated, and it was difficult to determine swiftly what course she had best pursue.
Realizing the hold she had once had upon this man, it had never occurred to her mind that her influence had altogether departed.

Her beauty had never failed before to win such victory, and she had trusted now in reviving the old smouldering passion into sudden flame.

Yet already she comprehended the utter uselessness of such an expectation--there was no smouldering passion to be fanned; his indifference was not assumed.

The discovery angered her, but long experience had brought control; it required only a moment to readjust her faculties, to keep the bitterness out of her voice.