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92 He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. She's an expressive person."

"Expressive! She's hysterical. But you aren't her father-confessor, are you?"

"Don't be foolish, Teresa. Why shouldn't she talk or write to me, if she feels like it? She's an interesting woman, and she's unhappy." "Of course she's unhappy. It's very easy for a woman who has a heap of money, good looks, and a kind husband to be unhappy. To be contented would be simply commonplace. It would prove that she had no soul at all. And, besides, what could she talk about to other men?"

Basil was grave. "She isn't a trivial woman," he said. "You don't understand that temperament, Teresa. She is really unworldly, she has a lot of energy which she can't put into ordinary channels"

"Very well, but she needn't employ it on you!" Teresa got up and flung herself into his arms. "She is in love with you! That's what she means by 'something entirely worthy.' …"

"You little idiot! … What's the matter with you lately, Teresa? When did you get this idea that women fall in love with me? They don't! And even if they did, it wouldn't matter. You know perfectly well I never think of anyone but you."

She made no answer, but clung to him, and he