XXII

           ItwasnotuntillatethatafternoonthatDarrowcouldclaimhispostponedhourwithAnna.Whenatlasthefoundheraloneinhersitting-roomitwaswithasenseofliberationsogreatthathesoughtnologicaljustificationofit.HesimplyfeltthatalltheirdestinieswereinMissPainter’sgrasp,andthat,resistancebeinguseless,hecouldonlyenjoythesweetsofsurrender.

           Annaherselfseemedashappy,andformoreexplicablereasons.Shehadassisted,afterluncheon,atanotherdebatebetweenMadamedeChantelleandherconfidant,andhadsurmised,whenshewithdrewfromit,thatvictorywaspermanentlyperchedonMissPainter’sbanners.

           “Idon’tknowhowshedoesit,unlessit’sbythedeadweightofherconvictions.ShedeteststheFrenchsothatshe’dbackupOwenevenifsheknewnothing—orknewtoomuch—ofMissViner.ShesomehowregardsthematchasaprotestagainstthecorruptionofEuropeanmorals.ItoldOwenthatwashisgreatchance,andhe’smadethemostofit.”

           “Whatatacticianyouare!YoumakemefeelthatIhardlyknowtherudimentsofdiplomacy,”Darrowsmiledather,abandoninghimselftoaperiloussenseofwell-being.

           Shegavehimbackhissmile.“I’mafraidIthinknothingshortofmyownhappinessisworthwastinganydiplomacyon!”

           “That’swhyImeantoresignfromtheserviceofmycountry,”herejoinedwithalaughofdeepcontent.

           Thefeelingthatbothresistanceandapprehensionwerevainwasworkinglikewineinhisveins.Hehaddonewhathecouldtodeflectthecourseofevents:nowhecouldonlystandasideandtakehischanceofsafety.