of your character--you would never again trust one who had deliberately
deceived you."

She did not remove her eyes from the cup, nor appear to note my
interruption, but continued gravely:

"I must tell my story to someone; I can fight fate alone no longer.
Perhaps I may not confess everything, for I do not know you well enough
for that, but enough, at least, so you will no longer suspect that I--I
am a bad woman."

"I could never really believe that."

"Oh, yes, you could. I have read in your face that my character
puzzles you. You invited me to drink a cocktail to try me. Don't
protest, for really I do not wonder at it, or blame you in the least.
How could you think otherwise? My position was a strange one, bound to
awaken suspicion; my conduct immodest. Yet you must accept my
explanation, for I shall tell the truth. I was never guilty of such an
act before--never! Perhaps because I was never tempted. There is a
home I could return to, and a mother, but they are more than a thousand
miles from here. But I cannot go, even if I possessed the means,
because of my pride--my false pride possibly. I have chosen my course,
and must abide by it to the end."

She drew a long breath, speaking very slowly.

"It is a hard story to tell, for the wound is still fresh, and hurts.
I was upon the stage--not long, but with sufficient success so that I
had become leading woman with one of the best stock companies. It was