and wrote another above it, after a meditative pause. Still the woman at
the door hesitated.

"Did you chance to notice the address on the envelope?"

He glanced at her now for the first time, apparently in some surprise:
"No--it is not my custom to study addresses of letters not my own. Nora
said it was for Bernal and he had seemed really distressed about some
letter or message that didn't come--if you will leave it here--"

"I wish to hand it to him myself."

"As you like." He returned to his work, crossing out a whole line and a
half with broad, emphatic marks. Then he bent lower, and the interest in
his page seemed to redouble, for he heard the door of Bernal's room
open. Nancy called:

"Bernal!"

He came to the door where she stood and she stepped a little inside so
that he might enter.

"I am anxious about a letter. Ah, you have it!"

She was scanning him with a look that was acid to eat out any untruth in
his face.

"Yes--it just came." She held it out to him. He looked at the front of
the envelope, then up to her half-shut eager eyes--eyes curiously
hardened now--then he blushed flagrantly--a thorough, riotous blush--and