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"It see s, that used to be necessary and iuessed at under a lass and labelled: 'Use unknown'"

"Yes; but meanwhile--"

"Ah,sealskin coat, her hands thrust in a small round muff, her veil dran like a transparent mask to the tip of her nose, and the bunch of violets he had brought her stirring with her quickly-taken breath, it seemed incredible that this pure harmony of line and colour should ever suffer the stupid law of change

"Meanwhile everything matters--that concerns you," he said

She looked at hihtfully, and turned back to the divan He sat down beside her and waited; but suddenly he heard a step echoing far off down the empty rooms, and felt the pressure of the minutes

"What is it you wanted to tell

"What I wanted to tell you?" he rejoined "Why, that I believe you came to New York because you were afraid"

"Afraid?"

"Of ton"

She looked down at her muff, and he saw her hands stir in it uneasily

"Well--?"

"Well--yes," she said

"You WERE afraid? You knew--?"