Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/257

 sip about you. But I am incapable of judging any man's actions without hearing both sides, and do therefore refrain from all comment. I hope you are coming home before very long. Townley has sent me copies of the illustrations. I am very proud of you, and happy to think that you are going to be able to make your way in this world without capitulations of any kind to anybody."

And Edward realized that he ought indeed to begin to think about going home. As a creative artist he was now able to stand on his own feet. Money was more easily earned in America than in Europe, and it would be possible for him to return to Paris whenever he saw fit.

He did not, however, feel that it would be right or indeed possible for him to break off his relationship with Anne. Perhaps he really loved her. At any rate, now that their violent quarrels were becoming a dim memory, he grew daily more attached to her. He would have married her without hesitation if it had been possible, and even consulted a lawyer about obtaining a divorce for her. It seemed, however, that this would require both money and influence and Anne herself discouraged the notion.

"We are doing very well as it is," she said. "We are faithful to each other and we have all our interests in common. Why worry?"