Then a policeman came, and they all ran away." "That was quite as it should be," said Hilary.

"And what did you do ?" Perceiving that she had not as yet made much effect, the little model cast down her eyes.
"I shouldn't have been frightened if you had been there!" "Heavens!" muttered Hilary.

"Mr.Stone is far more valiant than I." "I don't think he is," she replied stubbornly, and again looked up at him.
"Well, good-night!" said Hilary hastily.

"You must run off...." That same evening, driving with his wife back from a long, dull dinner, Hilary began: "I've something to say to you." An ironic "Yes ?" came from the other corner of the cab.
"There is some trouble with the little model." "Really!" "This man Hughs has become infatuated with her.

He has even said, I believe, that he was coming to see you." "What about ?" "Me." "And what is he going to say about you ?" "I don't know; some vulgar gossip--nothing true." There was a silence, and in the darkness Hilary moistened his dry lips.
Bianca spoke: "May I ask how you knew of this ?" "Cecilia told me." A curious noise, like a little strangled laugh, fell on Hilary's ears.
"I am very sorry," he muttered.
Presently Bianca said: "It was good of you to tell me, considering that we go our own ways.
What made you ?" "I thought it right." "And--of course, the man might have come to me!" "That you need not have said." "One does not always say what one ought." "I have made the child a present of some clothes which she badly needed.
So far as I know, that's all I've done!" "Of course!" This wonderful "of course" acted on Hilary like a tonic.