“You have had nothing from me but board and lodging,” he said. “There is your psychologist.”

Howson took Mona’s hand in both his. She stood absolutely passive, but not with her usual limp inertia; it was the motionlessness of extreme tension.

“Poor little Mona!” he said. “You are a lot better than you used to be. Go on getting better, and one of these days you may be a real girl, and have a good time,” and he kissed her lightly as one would kiss a child.

What memories that kiss awakened I cannot say, but I saw him change colour and look at her sharply. Had one glimmer of response lightened those dark eyes, the old love would have returned; but there was no change in the mask-like countenance of the woman who was paying her debt. He shivered. Perhaps some cold breath from the torturers’ dungeon touched him. He got into the car beside the woman he was to marry, and she drove away.

“How will that marriage turn out?” I asked as the sounds of the car died in the distance.

“Like a good many others where only the emotions are mated. They will be in love for a year, then will come disillusionment, and after they have bumped through the crisis, held together by the pressure of social opinion, they will settle down to the mutual toleration which passes for a successful marriage. But when he comes to die, he will remember this Mona Cailey and call for her; and as he crosses the threshold she will claim him, for they have made restitution, and the way is clear.”

“The man who foolishly does me wrong I will return to him evil the protection of my most ungrudging love; and the more evil comes from him, the more good shall go from me.”

“For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing which Thou hast made; for never wouldst Thou have made anything if Thou hadst hated it. But Thou sparest all, for they are Thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls. —Solomon.