Her gentle words relieved the tension of his passion, and he became calmer in a moment.

’If it is true that she is in Glasgow, it is easy knowing what has become of her,’ he said, with an ironical smile.  ’Take my advice, and let her alone.  She never was company for you, anyhow, and now less than ever.  Let her alone.’

’Oh, I can’t do that, Walter.  You have no idea how much I have thought about her.  It has often kept me from sleeping, I assure you.  I have so many blessings, I wish to share them.  To make others happy is all the use money is for.’

Walter was secretly touched, secretly yearning over her with a passion of admiration—­ay, and of sympathy, but his passive face betrayed nothing.  He listened as he might have listened to a customer’s complaint, yet with even a slighter exhibition of interest.  Strange that he should thus be goaded against his better impulses to show so harsh a front to the being he passionately loved, unless it was part of the role he had mapped out for himself.

’I heard that you had invited Teen Balfour to your estate; is she there yet?’ he asked; and Gladys did not know whether he asked in scorn or in jest.

’Yes, she is at Bourhill still, and will remain for some time.  Have you got anybody in Mrs. Macintyre’s place?  It was rather selfish of me, perhaps, to take her away without consulting you.’

’It didn’t affect me in the least, I assure you.  Mrs. Macintyre was not indispensable to my comfort.  So you like being a fine rich lady?  Don’t you remember how I prophesied you would, and how indignant you were?  After all, there is a good deal of worldly wisdom in the slums.’

’You prophesied that I should in a week forget, or wish to forget, this place, and that has not come true, since I am here to-day,’ she said, trying to smile, though her heart was sore.  ’Won’t you tell me now how you are getting on?  Excuse me saying that I don’t think you look very prosperous or very happy.’

’Nevertheless, the thing will pay; there isn’t any doubt about the prosperity.  As for the happiness,’ he added, with a shrug of the shoulders, ‘I don’t think there is much real happiness in this world.’

‘Oh yes, there is,’ she cried eagerly, ’a great deal of it, if only one will take the trouble to look for it.  It is in little things, Walter, that happiness is found, and you might be very happy indeed, if you would not delight in being so bitter and morose.  It is so very bad for you.  Some day, when you want to throw it off, you will not be able to do so, because it will have become a habit with you.  I must tell you quite plainly what I think, because it makes me so unhappy to see you like this.  You always remind me of Ishmael, whose hand was against every man.  What has changed you so terribly?’

‘Circumstances.  Yes, I am the victim of circumstances.’

‘There is no such thing,’ said Gladys calmly.  ’That is a phrase with which people console themselves in misfortunes they often bring upon themselves.  If you would only think of the absurdity of what you are saying.  You have admitted your prosperity; and the other troubles, home troubles, which I know are very trying, need not overwhelm you.  You are much less manly, Walter, now you are a man, than I expected you to be.  You have quite disappointed me, and without reason.’