"As though," she continued, "you had laid aside childish things."

"What?" he asked, surprised again at the authority of the
expression.

"Academic precision and the respectable excellencies
of-the-usual;--you have put away childish things and become a man."

"Where did you hear that?" he said bluntly.

"I heard it when I said it. You know, Mr. Drene, I am not wholly
uneducated, although your amiable question insinuates as much."

"I'm not unamiable. Only I didn't suppose--"

"Oh, you never have supposed anything concerning me. So why are you
surprised when I express myself with fragmentary intelligence?"

"I'm sorry--"

"Listen to me. I'm not afraid of you any more. I've been afraid
for two years. Now, I'm not. Your study is masterly. I know it. You
know it. You didn't know I knew it; you didn't know I knew anything.
And you didn't care."

She sat down on the sofa, facing him with a breathless smile.

"You don't care what I think, what I am, what interests I may have,
what intellect, what of human desire, hope, fear, ambition animates