"He looked me up," Willis admitted in mild surprise, "two days after
your disappearance, thinking you might have communicated with me. Of
course, I could tell him nothing. But how did you know----?"
"That suggestion, the underlying thought that I might not be intending
to fight out my fight alone--that originated with Bel, didn't it?"
"Well!" Willis stammered, trying to smile disarmingly--"I confess----"
"It wasn't enough, of course, that I should have found Bel out for the
dozenth time, there had to be a lover in _my_ background to account for
my leaving _him_! Did he mention any name?"
Willis made a negative sign. "Bellamy didn't imply--he merely said he
was afraid----"
"It doesn't matter. What else did he have to say?"
"He seemed most remorseful----"
"I know how remorseful Bel can seem."
"And determined----"
"In what way?"
"To find you----"
"He'd only be wasting his time."
"He spoke of employing detectives to trace you, when I assured him I
knew nothing of your whereabouts and that when--and if--I did hear from
you, I would necessarily be guided by your wishes."
"Thank you," said Lucinda. "It wouldn't do Bel any good to see me; it
would only irritate him to find I could hold out against a plea he made
in person."
"I understand," Willis agreed; and then with a quizzical look: "You seem
to know your own mind, young woman; so I shan't attempt to advise you.
But would you mind telling me what you have decided to do?"
"I shall divorce Bel, of course."
"You don't think it might be advisable to wait a while? It makes me very
sad to think of you in relation to divorce proceedings. But then, of
course, I belong to a generation that viewed divorce in a different
light." Lucinda was silent. "Ah, well!" Willis sighed, and renounced
hope then and there--"if you must, you must, I presume; and I will do my
best to serve your wishes, my dear. Only tell me how...."
"Why, naturally, I want to get it over with as quickly and quietly as
possible, with the minimum amount of public scandal."
"Then you won't sue in New York State."
"Why not?"
"Its laws recognize only one ground for absolute divorce."
"No," Lucinda concluded thoughtfully; "I'd rather not drag others into
the case, I'd rather get my freedom, if I can, without making anybody
unhappy, more than us two."
"The laws of the State of Nevada are most liberal. But it would be
necessary for you to establish a legal residence by living in Reno for,
I believe, six months."
"I suppose that's unavoidable."
"I will look up the most reputable firm of lawyers there, and recommend
you to them. If you find yourself in need of other advice, write or
telegraph me and I will come out to confer with you."
"I hope I won't have to impose on your kindness to that extent."
Willis blinked, removed the gold-rimmed pince-nez of his fading day, and
polished the lenses with a silk handkerchief.
"I should not consider it an imposition, but a privilege, Lucinda. I can
think of nothing I wouldn't do for your father's daughter, or for yours,
if you had one."
"Thank God I haven't!"
"I'm afraid I can't say Amen to that. But then, as I have already
remarked, I am in many respects a survival, an interesting one, I trust,
but a survival none the less, of a conservative-minded generation."
He replaced the glasses.
"Is there anything else, my dear? If so, we can take it up over our
luncheon. That is to say, I am hoping you will find it convenient and
agreeable to lunch with me today."
Bowing punctilious acknowledgment of Lucinda's acceptance, he sat back
and joined the fingers of both hands at his chin. "And now," he
pursued--"if you don't mind satisfying an inquisitive old man--I would
very much like to know what you propose to do with your freedom, when
you get it."
Lucinda jumped up and turned away with a quaver of desolation.
"Ah, I wish you hadn't asked me! That's what I'm trying all the time to
forget----"
"I thought so."
"The emptiness to come!... What _can_ a woman do to round out her life
when she's lost her husband and is fit for nothing but to be a wife?"
"She can find another husband. Many do."
"Marry again!" A violent movement of Lucinda's hands abolished the
thought. "Never that! I'm through with love for good and all."
"No doubt," agreed the student of law and life. "But are you sure that
love is through with you?"