The little shop-girl was getting into deep water.

She was letting her few supports float away from her.
"Oh," she said at last, "you mustn't look at me like that." "I can't help it," he answered.
She relaxed a little and let the situation endure, giving him strength.
"You are not satisfied with life, are you ?" "No," she answered, weakly.
He saw he was the master of the situation--he felt it.

He reached over and touched her hand.
"You mustn't," she exclaimed, jumping up.
"I didn't intend to," he answered, easily.
She did not run away, as she might have done.

She did not terminate the interview, but he drifted off into a pleasant field of thought with the readiest grace.

Not long after he rose to go, and she felt that he was in power.