She listened to me attentively, her face growing paler and harder as I
proceeded. When I had finished she said:--
"It is not at all necessary for me to discuss this utterly preposterous
scheme, nor even to refer to it, except to say that I plainly see its
object. Whatever you have persuaded yourself to think of your plan, I
know that its real object is to reestablish a connection with Sylvia.
You would know, if you would allow yourself to think about it, that your
absurd and even wicked scheme of typewriting, companionship in work, and
all that stuff, could only result in making the girl miserable and
perhaps breaking her heart. You know that she loves you, and that it has
been a terrible trial to her to yield to her conscience and do what she
has done; and you know, furthermore,--and this more than anything else
darkens your intention,--that Sylvia's artless, ingenuous, and impulsive
nature would give you advantages which would not be afforded to you by
one who did not love you, and who better understood the world and you."
"Madam," I exclaimed, "you do me an injustice!"
She paid no attention to this remark, and proceeded: "And now let me
tell you that what you have said to me to-night has changed my plans, my
life.
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