other people live. I have been very lonely these past twelve
years."

"I will think about it."

"And you may make note of these two conditions: Oliver's name is
not to be mentioned in my hearing, and you and Reuther are to be
known by your real names."

"You would--"

"Yes, madam. No secrecy is to be maintained in future as to your
identity or my reasons for desiring you in my house. I need a
housekeeper and you please me. That you have a past to forget and
Reuther a disappointment to overcome, gives additional point to
the arrangement."

Her answer was:

"I cannot take back what I have said about my determined purpose."
In repeating this, she looked up at him askance.

He smiled. She remembered that smile long after the interview was
over and only its memory remained.




XII