connection. The poor man has done his utmost to hide it, so as not to wound my feelings.'

I said: 'Wait a little — his love may be a storm in a teacup, and then it will pass.' She said: 'And what good would that do me? They are young, and suited to each other. And suppose his love for her did cool — what would that gain me? I am nineteen years older than he, and when a man's heart turns away from loving a woman of his mother's age, no power on earth can bring back to his heart what it once felt for her.'

'You are a teller of tales, my friend... you ought to understand human nature better. But I do not understand why you should make this sacrifice.'

'When he asked me to marry him, ten years ago, I promised to give him his freedom whenever he should want it. That is a right of his, imposed by the great difference in our ages.'

'But he has not asked you to keep the promise.'

She moved her fingers, and with the movement the black stone of her wedding ring glinted; and in that black flash I saw an omen of ill. Then she said:

'One must behave properly in such matters... You want the truth? I came to lunch here today only so as to sit at the very table at which he and I sat when he came asking for my hand. I love him still with the same strength and sincerity and devotion — but that does not mean I should be selfish and bind his spring to my autumn.'

She was silent a little, and then said, clenching her teeth: 'I must go now. Peter hates to be kept waiting.'

She gave me a look in which there was a shadow of defeat. Then, to my surprise, she could

not rise to her feet with ease; but she smiled and took hold of herself. I said: 'Would you like me to go with you?'

She said, the smile still on her lips: 'Only as far as the hotel door.' So I walked with her to the door, and wanted to call her a taxi, but she refused, and insisted on going to her appointment on foot.

She gave me her hand and I pressed it, and she said to me: 'This has been a happy chance. I am going abroad tomorrow, but I shall be back in the autumn — try to ask after me.'

She nodded her head and went.

I stood watching her as she crossed the street, flooded with the light of a bright spring sun. She was erect, light, graceful as ever; and I saw one of her acquaintances pass her and raise his hat to her, and she returned his greeting with a graceful bow.

Did it ever occur to that man, I wonder, that this elegant, gay, self-assured woman carried within her a broken heart? How far from it... The crowded history of this woman had never touched her frank and upright nature.

Pond's Powder

Soft skin... like the skin of angels!

POND'S

'Pond's' Powder

It has the softness of velvet... and the beauty of flowers!

Agents and depot: Baroudi Bros. & Co. — Beirut