She said: "You stopped writing rather suddenly, I thought. Why was
that?"
He hesitated. "Well, you know, after Elizabeth's marriage and your
decision to throw up the sponge--you remember you wrote to me of your
decision, don't you?---- Well, after that I did write occasionally, for
a year or two, but then it all seemed so hopeless, and I realized that
you didn't mean to marry me, so I thought it best to let you go. I had
my work, Joan, and I tried to wipe you out; you were a disturbing
element."
She nodded. She could understand his not having wanted a distraction in
the days when he was making his career, she could even understand his
having dropped her; what interest could he have had in so disappointing
a life as hers? "And you, on the other hand, have made good?" she
queried, continuing her own train of thought.
He sighed. "Oh, yes, I suppose so; I'm considered a very successful man,
I believe."
It came to her as a shock that she ought to know something about this
very successful man, and that the mere fact that she knew nothing showed
how completely she had dropped away from all her old interests.
"Don't be angry, Richard," she said apologetically. "But please tell me
what you do. Did you specialize in nerves after all?"
He shook his head. "No, Joan, I specialized in brain; I'm a surgeon, my
dear."
"A great one, Richard?"
"Oh, I don't know; I'm fairly useful, I think."
His words roused a vague echo in her, something stirred feebly; the
ghost of by-gone enthusiasm, called from the grave by the mere proximity
of this man, so redolent of self-confidence and success. She moved
uneasily, conscious that her thoughts were straying backwards.
"Elizabeth----" she began, but checked herself, and at that moment a
porter came up.
"Please, miss, the lady in twenty-four says will you come up at once,
she's in bed."
"I must go; good-night, Richard."
"Wait a minute!" he said eagerly. "When shall I see you again?"
She hesitated. "I think I can get off for a walk at nine o'clock
to-morrow morning; Mother won't be getting up until about twelve."
"I shall be waiting here in the hall," he said.
When she was gone, he lit a cigar and went out into the night to think.