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 quite held her in my esteem to the point of absolute trust. There is a suggestion of defiance in her Bohemianism. She permits herself liberties that are not wise. She lunches with any man she likes, whenever she pleases, in the most public places. I often used to speak to her about it, and she always resented it, maintaining that as long as a woman stayed in broad daylight, and in a public place, she was sufficiently chaperoned. But such things show a disregard of public opinion that sooner or later leads to graver offences, not only against the laws of convention, but against the laws of God."

Valdeck hid a smile with his serviette. She was too delicious, this girl. His curiosity began to rise concerning this Victoria whose character he had just destroyed. Evidently she was a woman of independence and intelligence. It was rather a pity to spoil her reputation; but it had to be done. Besides, he reflected, was it not a custom current in society, was it not sufficient to justify any calumny, that the person thus punished should happen to know things derogatory 154