Meanwhile events were taking place of which Madge had no knowledge, but which would favor the plan slowly maturing in her mind.  Mr. Muir’s business affairs had been taking a turn which made it probable that he would soon have to send his brother abroad.  As long as there was uncertainty the reticent man said nothing, but at last he received advices which brought him to a prompt decision, and Graydon was told that he must go at once.  The young fellow submitted with fairly good grace.  A brief foreign residence had its attractions, but it interfered with his incipient suit to Miss Wildmere.  He felt that he had not gone far enough for a definite proposal, but he showed, during the brief call that his time permitted, an interest which the young lady well understood.  Since he was to be absent for an indefinite period, and would have no chance to observe her other little affairs, she permitted herself to be gracious and regretful up to the point of inspiring much hope for the future.  With a nicety of tact—­the result of experience—­she confirmed his view that they had made favorable impressions on each other, and that for the present they must be content with this.

He had but a day in which to make his preparations in order to catch a fast steamer that sailed at daylight the following morning.  Madge’s first sensation when she learned of his near departure was one of immense relief.  The possibility which she had so dreaded could not now be realized, and her plan could be carried out with far less embarrassment.  But as time passed, and she knew that their separation was so near, her heart relented toward him with inexpressible tenderness.  The roses that perfumed the room were a type of his unstinted kindness and consideration.  She was just enough to acknowledge that these were even more than she could naturally expect from him—­that the majority of young men would have treated her with a half contemptuous pity which she was now beginning to admit would be partially deserved.  On the occasions when she had gone out with him she had learned how unattractive in society her pale face and shy ways were.  Such attentions as she had received had been to her sensitive spirit like charity.  Graydon had been animated by unaffected good-will and an affection that was, after its kind, genuine.  While she felt that it would be no longer possible to receive these mild manifestations of regard while giving something so different, she still knew, with a half despairing sinking of heart, how blank and desolate her life would be without them.  She must meet him once more, and word was sent that she would receive his good-by after dinner.  Having safely passed this one interview, she hoped that she might be able to control the future, and either cease to be, or bring about changes upon which she had resolved.

Only a soft, dim light shone in her room when he came to say farewell.

“Why, Madge,” he exclaimed, “you are better!  You actually have color.  Perhaps it is fever, though,” he added, dubiously.  “At any rate, it’s very becoming.”