Anna stood in the middle of the room, her eyes on the door.

　　Darrow's questioning gaze was still on her, and she said toherself with a quick-drawn breath: "If only he doesn't comenear me!"It seemed to her that she had been suddenly endowed with thefatal gift of reading the secret sense of every seeminglyspontaneous look and movement, and that in his least gestureof affection she would detect a cold design.

　　For a moment longer he continued to look at her enquiringly;then he turned away and took up his habitual stand by themantel-piece. She drew a deep breath of relief .

　　"Won't you please explain?" he said.

　　"I can't explain: I don't know. I didn't even know--tillshe told you--that she really meant to break her engagement.

　　All I know is that she came to me just now and said shewished to leave Givre today; and that Owen, when he heard ofit--for she hadn't told him--at once accused her of goingaway with the secret intention of throwing him over.""And you think it's a definite break?" She perceived, as shespoke, that his brow had cleared.

　　"How should I know? Perhaps you can tell me.""I?" She fancied his face clouded again, but he did not movefrom his tranquil attitude.

　　"As I told you," she went on, "Owen has worked himself up toimagining that for some mysterious reason you've influencedSophy against him."Darrow still visibly wondered. "It must indeed be amysterious reason! He knows how slightly I know Miss Viner.

　　Why should he imagine anything so wildly improbable?""I don't know that either.""But he must have hinted at some reason.""No: he admits he doesn't know your reason. He simply saysthat Sophy's manner to him has changed since she came backto Givre and that he's seen you together several times--inthe park, the spring-house, I don't know where--talkingalone in a way that seemed confidential--almost secret; andhe draws the preposterous conclusion that you've used yourinfluence to turn her against him.""My influence? What kind of influence?""He doesn't say."Darrow again seemed to turn over the facts she gave him.

　　His face remained grave, but without the least trace ofdiscomposure. "And what does Miss Viner say?""She says it's perfectly natural that she shouldoccasionally talk to my friends when she's under my roof--and refuses to give him any other explanation.""That at least is perfectly natural!"Anna felt her cheeks flush as she answered: "Yes--but thereis something----""Something----?""Some reason for her sudden decision to break herengagement. I can understand Owen's feeling, sorry as I amfor his way of showing it. The girl owes him some sort ofexplanation, and as long as she refuses to give it hisimagination is sure to run wild.""She would have given it, no doubt, if he d asked it in adifferent tone.""I don't defend Owen's tone--but she knew what it was beforeshe accepted him. She knows he's excitable andundisciplined.""Well, she's been disciplining him a little--probably thebest thing that could happen. Why not let the matter restthere?""Leave Owen with the idea that you HAVE been the causeof the break?"He met the question with his easy smile. "Oh, as to that--leave him with any idea of me he chooses! But leave him, atany rate, free.""Free?" she echoed in surprise.

　　"Simply let things be. You've surely done all you could forhim and Miss Viner. If they don't hit it off it's their ownaffair. What possible motive can you have for trying tointerfere now?"Her gaze widened to a deeper wonder. "Why--naturally, whathe says of you!""I don't care a straw what he says of me! In such asituation a boy in love will snatch at the most far-fetchedreason rather than face the mortifying fact that the ladymay simply be tired of him.""You don t quite understand Owen. Things go deep with him,and last long. It took him a long time to recover from hisother unlucky love affair. He's romantic and extravagant:

　　he can't live on the interest of his feelings. He worshipsSophy and she seemed to be fond of him. If she's changedit's been very sudden. And if they part like this, angrilyand inarticulately, it will hurt him horribly--hurt his verysoul. But that, as you say, is between the two. Whatconcerns me is his associating you with their quarrel.

　　Owen's like my own son--if you'd seen him when I first camehere you'd know why. We were like two prisoners who talk toeach other by tapping on the wall. He's never forgotten it,nor I. Whether he breaks with Sophy, or whether they makeit up, I can't let him think you had anything to do withit."She raised her eyes entreatingly to Darrow's, and read inthem the forbearance of the man resigned to the discussionof non-existent problems.

　　"I'll do whatever you want me to,&quo............