willed to be — and it was; a love I strove to have rule me — and it ruled; and through it I embraced my destiny... it profited me and protected me. A love not imposed by reckless circumstance nor woven by stunning decrees.

And to her friend she would whisper: I wish the breast of life would open to me, that I might drink deep of it and take my luck and my portion. I do not want to catch my luck from people's open palms. Luck and portion... come from the mine of life.

And the idea of marriage?

Yes, it steals into Maha's mind, and it occupies her and does not occupy her. She knows that this marriage... is one of her aims, but she wants it to win her, not that she should go seeking it.

The picture of the bridegroom she drew in her free moments — that is, while closing one book and preparing to open another. In that picture is the summit of wishing and the impossible of asking, if

Maha only knew — but she did not... know!...

Maha went out from the door... of the university into the arena, as Joan of Arc went out. The dazzling triumph so occupies her that she does not pursue it — with plain, unpampered pursuit.

And Maha became acquainted with many people — in the shops, at receptions, at the office, and at meetings — and she read about many others here and there. Then she traveled beyond her continent... and there the new and the strange delighted her — and then turned and bewildered her!!

And after that she came back to where she had been before the journey, talking — praising and criticizing — then listening, in order to agree.

Has the shadow of revolt shrunk away from Maha's soul?

Has her ambition been schooled, and its plans amended? Who knows...

But Maha has come to wish to remain... a woman!