“You will write this evening to Mrs. Lessingham?” he said, in a tone of assuredness.

“Why do you wish me to do that?” she asked, looking at him.

“Because of the possibility of your still being left alone.  You are not able to bear that.”

“Yes, I can bear anything that is necessary now,” she answered firmly.  “If it was weakness to come here and say what I have said, then my weakness is over.  Mrs. Lessingham is enjoying herself with friends; why should I disturb her?  What have I to say to her, or to any one?”

“Suppose an indefinite time goes by, and you are still alone?”

“In that case, I shall be able to arrange my life as other such women do.  I shall find occupation, the one thing I greatly need.  My gravest misfortune is, that I feel the ability to do something, but do not know what.  Since the death of my child, that is what has weighed upon me most.”

Mallard reflected upon this.  He could easily understand its truth.  He felt assured that Miriam suffered in much the same way, having reached the same result by so very different a process of development.  But it was equally clear to him that neither of these women really could do anything; it was not their function to do, but to be.  Eleanor Spence would in all likelihood have illustrated the same unhappy problem had it been her lot to struggle against adverse conditions; she lived the natural life of an educated woman, and therefore was beset by no questionings as to he? capacities and duties.  So long, however, as the educated woman is the exceptional woman, of course it will likewise be exceptional for her life to direct itself in a calm course.

To discuss such questions with Cecily was impossible.  How should he say to her, “You have missed your chance of natural happiness, and it will only be by the strangest good fortune if you ever again find yourself in harmony with fate”?  Mallard had far too much discretion to assume the part of lay preacher, and involve himself in the dangers of suggesting comfort.  The situation was delicate enough, and all his efforts were directed to subduing its tone.  After a pause, he said to her: 

“Have you taken your meals to-day?”

She smiled a little.

“Yes.  But I am thirsty.  Can you give me a glass of water?”

“Are you very thirsty?  Can you wait a quarter of an hour?”

With a look of inquiry as to his meaning, she answered that she could.  Mallard nodded, and began to busy himself in a corner of the studio.  She saw that he was lighting a spirit-lamp, and putting a kettle over it.  She made no remark; it was soothing to sit here in this companionship, and feel the feverish heat in her veins gradually assuaged.  Mallard kept silence, and when he saw her beginning to look around at the pictures, he threw out a word or two concerning them.  She rose, to see better, and moved about, now and then putting a question In little more than the stipulated time, tea was prepared.  After a short withdrawal to the ante-room, Mallard produced some delicate slices of bread and butter.  Cecily ate and drank.  As it was growing dusk, the artist lit a lamp.