) I was about to
move on, but Mrs. Falchion touched my arm. "Wait," she said. She stood
and heard the letter through. Then we walked on, she musing. Presently
she said: "It is a pity--a pity."
I looked at her inquiringly, but she offered no explanation of the
enigmatical words. But, at this moment, seeing Justine waiting, she
excused herself, and soon I saw her listening to Moliere. Later in the
day I saw her talking with Miss Treherne, and it struck me that she had
never looked so beautiful as then, and that Miss Treherne had never
seemed so perfect a product of a fine convention. But, watching them
together, one who had had any standard of good life could never have
hesitated between the two. It was plain to me that Mrs. Falchion was bent
upon making a conquest of this girl who so delicately withstood her; and
Belle Treherne has told me since, that, when in her presence, and
listening to her, she was irresistibly drawn to her; though at the same
time she saw there was some significant lack in her nature; some hardness
impossible to any one who had ever known love. She also told me that on
this occasion Mrs.
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