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176 as much as you did before. I've done a wrong to him in telling you. But I like so much to feel that you know everything, and that everything is clear between us, at least on my side, that I don't care. I am immoral in my honesty. Only you mustn't show that I've told you, you know. That would be immoral of you"

"Oh, I won't, of course. Only don't let Erhart make love to you."

"Erhart! I should say not. You're—unpleasant, Basil."

"No, I'm not jealous," he said, laughing. "Only, if any man makes love to you, I'd like it to be some fellow I like, you know—some really good man. And that doesn't mean you're to encourage him—at least not much. Otherwise I don't mind at all."

"How generous of you!" said Teresa, with sarcasm.

There was now often a tinge of sharpness in her tone toward Basil. She knew that he had his reserves. He had been as diplomatic as possible on the subject of Mrs. Perry; but his practical wisdom had not quite deceived Teresa's instinct. She knew there was something he had not told her—but she felt also that, whatever it might be, it was not very important. She could not be deceived in Basil's feeling for herself; and she was learning to fight against her disposition to take seriously everything relat-