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Rh us to stop," until she made him, like beautiful Evelyn Hope, "awake and remember and understand." It had been screamingly funny, but at the same time it had its annoying side. Lucia did not want to risk such a thing occurring again.

The sequel had annoyed her as well, though, like the incident, it was broad farce. Brixham, it appeared, had had a battle-royal over the affair, having, as usual, nothing whatever to talk about; and the faction of the Dean's wife alluded to Lucia as "that Lady Brayton," while her supporters, of whom there were many, chiefly said that Mrs. Gopsall did not understand French. Aunt Cathie's contribution to the skirmish had been to attempt to get an English translation of the play, so that she could judge for herself. This, fortunately, was not to be had. All that was but a teacup storm; it was, however, symptomatic of what Lucia knew would be the nature of this discussion with her husband. It was only gradually that Edgar had seen how utterly divergent his projected line was from that of his wife, for there was much that was common to both. But they led not so distantly to regions very far apart.

"We are alone," said Lucia quietly. "We can discuss these points. But I should be grateful, Edgar, if you would sit down. Your incessant turning rather confuses me."

Lucia did not say that wantonly; she was aware that she would probably need to have all her wits about her. The discussion, she foresaw, would be rather vital. She meant also that it should be.

He sat down sideways to her, and she spoke.

You said that you do not want it to be thought characteristic of this house that we give here plays that the censor would not allow on the London stage," she said. "Now, as we both of us know, it is I who really am responsible for the quality of our entertainments, and when you say a thing like that, you make a direct reflection on me. Very well: I am here to discuss this with you. Will you please state your case?"

He looked up at her, startled.

"Ah, Lucia, I don't mean that," he said. "How can you so misunderstand me?"

Lucia had swiftly considered her position, and had spoken advisedly. She thought, rightly or wrongly, that the time had come for Edgar to say all that had been in his mind for so many weeks. There had been an uneasy atmosphere abroad for some time, and she wished for a clearing of the air, whether or no a