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Alice Greggory called and found Billy and Arkwright
so absorbed in their game that they did
not at first hear Eliza speak her name。
The quick color that flew to Arkwright's face
at sight of herself was construed at once by Alice
as embarrassment on his part at being found
tte……tte with Bertram Henshaw's wife。 And
she did not like it。 She was not pleased that he
was there。 She was less pleased that he blushed
for being there。
It so happened that Alice found him there
again several times。 Alice gave a piano lesson
at two o'clock every Tuesday and Friday afternoon
to a little Beacon Street neighbor of Billy's；
and she had fallen into the habit of stepping in
to see Billy for a few minutes afterward； which
brought her there at a little past three； just after
the chess lesson was well started。
If； the first time that Alice Greggory found
Arkwright opposite Billy at the chess…table； she
was surprised and displeased； the second and third
times she was much more so。 When it finally
came to her one day with sickening illumination；
that always the tte……ttes were during Bertram's
hour at the doctor's； she was appalled。
What could it mean？ Had Arkwright given
up his fight？ Was he playing false to himself
and to Bertram by trying thus； on the sly； to win
the love of his friend's wife？ Was this man；
whom she had so admired for his brave stand；
and to whom all unasked she had given her heart's
best love （more the pity of it！）was this idol
of hers to show feet of clay； after all？ She could
not believe it。 And yet
Sick at heart； but imbued with the determination
of a righteous cause； Alice Greggory resolved；
for Billy's sake； to watch and wait。 If
necessary she should speak to some onethough
to whom she did not know。 Billy's happiness
should not be put in jeopardy if she could help it。
Indeed； no！
As the weeks passed； Alice came to be more
and more uneasy； distressed； and grieved。 Of
Billy she could believe no evil； but of Arkwright
she was beginning to think she could believe
everything that was dishonorable and despicable。
And to believe that of the man she still loved
no wonder that Alice did not look nor act like
herself these days。
Incensed at herself because she did love him；
angry at him because he seemed to be proving
himself so unworthy of that love； and genuinely
frightened at what she thought was the fast…
approaching wreck of all happiness for her dear
friend； Billy； Alice did not know which way to
turn。 At the first she had told herself confidently
that she would ‘‘speak to somebody。'' But； as
time passed； she saw the impracticability of that
idea。 Speak to somebody； indeed！ To whom？
When？ Where？ What should she say？ Where
was her right to say anything？ She was not
dealing with a parcel of naughty children who had
pilfered the cake jar！ She was dealing with grown
men and women； who； presumedly； knew their
own affairs； and who； certainly； would resent
any interference from her。 On the other hand；
could she stand calmly by and see Bertram lose
his wife； Arkwright his honor； Billy her happiness；
and herself her faith in human nature； all
because to do otherwise would be to meddle in other
people's business？ Apparently she could； and
should。 At least that seemed to be the rle which
she was expected to play。
It was when Alice had reached this unhappy
frame of mind that Arkwright himself unexpectedly
opened the door for her。
The two were alone together in Bertram
Henshaw's den。 It was Tuesday afternoon。 Alice
had called to find Billy and Arkwright deep in
their usual game of chess。 Then a matter of
domestic affairs had taken Billy from the room。
‘‘I'm afraid I'll have to be gone ten minutes；
or more；'' she had said； as she rose from the table
reluctantly。 ‘‘But you might be showing Alice
the moves； Mr。 Arkwright；'' she had added； with
a laugh； as she disappeared。
‘‘Shall I teach you the moves？'' he had smiled；
when they were alone together。
Alice's reply had been so indignantly short
and sharp that Arkwright； after a moment's
pause； had said； with a whimsical smile that yet
carried a touch of sadness：
‘‘I am forced to surmise from your answer
that you think it is _you_ who should be teaching
_me_ moves。 At all events； I seem to have been
making some moves lately that have not suited
you； judging by your actions。 Have I offended
you in any way； Alice？''
The girl turned with a quick lifting of her head。
Alice knew that if ever she were to speak； it must
be now。 Never again could she hope for such
an opportunity as this。 Suddenly throwing
circumspect caution quite aside； she determined
that she would speak。 Springing to her feet she
crossed the room and seated herself in Billy's
chair at the chess…table。
‘‘Me！ Offend me！'' she exclaimed； in a low
voice。 ‘‘As if I were the one you were offending！''
‘‘Why； _Alice！_'' murmured the man； in obvious
stupefaction。
Alice raised her hand； palm outward。
‘‘Now don't； _please_ don't pretend you don't
know；'' she begged； almost piteously。 ‘‘Please
don't add that to all the rest。 Oh； I understand；
of course； it's none of my affairs； and I wasn't
going to speak；'' she choked； ‘‘but； to…day； when
you gave me this chance； I had to。 At first I
couldn't believe it；'' she plunged on； plainly hurrying
against Billy's return。 ‘‘After all you'd
told me of how you meant to fight ityour
tiger skin。 And I thought it merely _happened_
that you were here alone with her those days I
came。 Then； when I found out they were _always_
the days Mr。 Henshaw was away at the doctor's；
I had to believe。''
She stopped for breath。 Arkwright； who； up
to this moment had shown that he was completely
mystified as to what she was talking
about； suddenly flushed a painful red。 He was
obviously about to speak； but she prevented him
with a quick gesture。
‘‘There's a little more I've got to say； please。
As if it weren't bad enough to do what you're
doing _at all_； but you must needs take it at such
a time as this whenwhen her husband _isn't_
doing just what he ought to do； and we all know
itit's so unfair to take her now； and try to
to win And you aren't even fair with him；''
she protested tremulously。 ‘‘You pretend to
be his friend。 You go with him everywhere。 It's
just as if you were _helping_ toto pull him down。
You're one with the whole bunch。'' （The blood
suddenly receded from Arkwright's face； leaving
it very white； but if Alice saw it； she paid no
heed。） ‘‘Everybody says you are。 Then to
come here like this； on the sly； when you know
he can't be here； I Oh； can't you see what
you're doing？''
There was a moment's pause； then Arkwright
spoke。 A deep pain looked from his eyes。 He
was still very pale； and his mouth had settled