you were under higher orders. You are under my orders. What right have we
to choose each other if we are not to be better to each other than to any
one else?--if our lives belong to any one who needs us, or our time and
money, more than we need it ourselves? Why did you choose me? Why not
somebody pathetic--one of your Poor Things; or else save yourself whole
for all the Poor Things?"

"Now you are 'talking for victory,'" he smiled. "You don't believe we must
be as consistent as all that. Hearts don't have to be coddled like pears
picked for market. But I'm not preaching to you. The heavens forbid! I'm
trying to explain. You don't think this whole thing with me is a pose? I
know I'm a bore with my convictions; but how do we come by such things?"

"Ah! How do I come not to have any, or to want any?" she rejoined.

"Once for all, let me tell you how I came by mine. Then you will know just
where and how those cries for help take hold on me."

"I don't wish to know. Preserve me from knowing! Why didn't you choose
somebody different?"

He looked at her with all his passion in his eyes. "I did not choose. Did
you?"

"It isn't too late," she whispered. Her face grew hot in the darkness.

"Yes; it is too late--for anything but the truth. Will you listen, sweet?
Will you let the nonsense wait?"

"Deeper and deeper! Haven't we reached the bottom yet?"