XXIII + 

And then, one November evening as Clyde was walking along Wykeagy Avenue, just west of Central, a portion of the locally celebrated avenue which, ever since he had moved to Mrs.¬†PeytonвАЩs he was accustomed to traverse to and from his work, one thing did occur which in so far as he and the Griffiths were concerned was destined to bring about a chain of events which none of them could possibly have foreseen. At the time there was in his heart and mind that singing which is the inheritance of youth and ambition and which the dying of the old year, instead of depressing, seemed but to emphasize. He had a good position. He was respected here. Over and above his room and board he had not less than fifteen dollars a week to spend on himself and Roberta, an income which, while it did not parallel that which had been derived from the Green-Davidson or the Union League, was still not so involved with family miseries in the one place or personal loneliness in the other. And he had Roberta secretly devoted to him. And the Griffiths, thank goodness, did not and should not know anything of that, though just how in case of a difficulty it was to be avoided, he was not even troubling to think. His was a disposition which did not tend to load itself with more than the most immediate cares. + 

And although the Griffiths and their friends had not chosen to recognize him socially, still more and more all others who were not connected with local society and who knew of him, did. Only this very day, because the spring before he had been made a room-chief, perhaps, and Samuel Griffiths had recently paused and talked with him, no less an important personage than Mr.¬†Rudolph Smillie, one of the several active vice-presidents, had asked him most cordially and casually whether he played golf, and if so, when spring came again, whether he might not be interested to join the Amoskeag, one of the two really important golf clubs within a half dozen miles of the city. Now, what could that mean, if not that Mr.¬†Smillie was beginning to see him as a social possibility, and that he as well as many others about the factory, were becoming aware of him as someone who was of some importance to the Griffiths, if not the factory. + 

This thought, together with one otherвБ†вАФthat once more after dinner he was to see Roberta and in her room as early as eleven oвАЩclock or even earlierвБ†вАФcheered him and caused him to step along most briskly and gayly. For, since having indulged in this secret adventure so many times, both were unconsciously becoming bolder. Not having been detected to date, they were of the notion that it was possible they might not be. Or if they were Clyde might be introduced as her brother or cousin for the moment, anyhow, in order to avoid immediate scandal. Later, to avoid danger of comment or subsequent detection, as both had agreed after some discussion, Roberta might have to move to some other place where the same routine was to be repeated. But that would be easy, or at least better than no freedom of contact. And with that Roberta had been compelled to agree. + 

However, on this occasion there came a contact and an interruption which set his thoughts careening in an entirely different direction. Reaching the first of the more important houses of Wykeagy Avenue, although he had not the slightest idea who lived there, he was gazing interestedly at the high wrought-iron fence, as well as the kempt lawn within, dimly illuminated by street lamps, and upon the surface of which he could detect many heaps of freshly fallen brown leaves being shaken and rolled by a winnowing and gamboling wind. It was all so starkly severe, placid, reserved, beautiful, as he saw it, that he was quite stirred by the dignity and richness of it. And as he neared the central gate, above which two lights were burning, making a circle of light about it, a closed car of great size and solidity stopped directly in front of it. And the chauffeur stepping down and opening the door, Clyde instantly recognized Sondra Finchley leaning forward in the car. + 

вАЬGo around to the side entrance, David, and tell Miriam that I canвАЩt wait for her because IвАЩm going over to the Trumbulls for dinner, but that IвАЩll be back by nine. If sheвАЩs not there, leave this note and hurry, will you?вАЭ The voice and manner were of that imperious and yet pleasing mode which had so intrigued him the spring before. + 

At the same time seeing, as she thought, Gilbert Griffiths approaching along the sidewalk, she called, вАЬOh, hello. Walking tonight? If you want to wait a minute, you can ride out with me. IвАЩve just sent David in with a note. He wonвАЩt be long.вАЭ + 

Now Sondra Finchley, despite the fact that she was interested in Bella and the GriffithsвАЩ wealth and prestige in general was by no means as well pleased with Gilbert. He had been indifferent to her in the beginning when she had tried to cultivate him and he had remained so. He had wounded her pride. And to her, who was overflowing with vanity and self-conceit, this was the last offense, and she could not forgive him. She could not and would not brook the slightest trace of ego in another, and most especially the vain, cold, self-centered person of BellaвАЩs brother. He had too fine an opinion of himself, as she saw it, was one who was too bursting with vanity to be of service to anyone. вАЬHmp! That stick.вАЭ It was so that she invariably thought of him. вАЬWho does he think he is anyhow? He certainly does think heвАЩs a lot around here. YouвАЩd think he was a Rockefeller or a Morgan. And for my part I canвАЩt see where heвАЩs a bit interestingвБ†вАФany more. I like Bella. I think sheвАЩs lovely. But that smarty. I guess he would like to have a girl wait on him. Well, not for me.вАЭ Such in the main were the comments made by Sondra upon such reported acts and words of Gilbert as were brought to her by others. + 

And for his part, Gilbert, hearing of the gyrations, airs, and aspirations of Sondra from Bella from time to time, was accustomed to remark: вАЬWhat, that little snip! Who does she think she is anyhow? If ever there was a conceited little nut!вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ + 

However, so tightly were the social lines of Lycurgus drawn, so few the truly eligibles, that it was almost necessary and compulsory upon those вАЬinвАЭ to make the best of such others as were вАЬin.вАЭ And so it was that she now greeted Gilbert as she thought. And as she moved over slightly from the door to make room for him, Clyde almost petrified by this unexpected recognition, and quite shaken out of his pose and self-contemplation, not being sure whether he had heard aright, now approached, his manner the epitome almost of a self-ingratiating and somewhat affectionate and wistful dog of high breeding and fine temperament. + 

вАЬOh, good evening,вАЭ he exclaimed, removing his cap and bowing. вАЬHow are you?вАЭ while his mind was registering that this truly was the beautiful, the exquisite Sondra whom months before he had met at his uncleвАЩs, and concerning whose social activities during the preceding summer he had been reading in the papers. And now here she was as lovely as ever, seated in this beautiful car and addressing him, apparently. However, Sondra on the instant realizing that she had made a mistake and that it was not Gilbert, was quite embarrassed and uncertain for the moment just how to extricate herself from a situation which was a bit ticklish, to say the least. + 

вАЬOh, pardon me, youвАЩre Mr.¬†Clyde Griffiths, I see now. ItвАЩs my mistake. I thought you were Gilbert. I couldnвАЩt quite make you out in the light.вАЭ She had for the moment an embarrassed and fidgety and halting manner, which Clyde noticed and which he saw implied that she had made a mistake that was not entirely flattering to him nor satisfactory to her. And this in turn caused him to become confused and anxious to retire. + 

вАЬOh, pardon me. But thatвАЩs all right. I didnвАЩt mean to intrude. I thoughtвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ He flushed and stepped back really troubled. + 

But now Sondra, seeing at once that Clyde was if anything much more attractive than his cousin and far more diffident, and obviously greatly impressed by her charms as well as her social state, unbent sufficiently to say with a charming smile: вАЬBut thatвАЩs all right. WonвАЩt you get in, please, and let me take you where you are going. Oh, I wish you would. I will be so glad to take you.вАЭ + 

For there was that in ClydeвАЩs manner the instant he learned that it was due to a mistake that he had been recognized which caused even her to understand that he was hurt, abashed and disappointed. His eyes took on a hurt look and there was a wavering, apologetic, sorrowful smile playing about his lips. + 

вАЬWhy, yes, of course,вАЭ he said jerkily, вАЬthat is, if you want me to. I understand how it was. ThatвАЩs all right. But you neednвАЩt mind, if you donвАЩt wish to. I thoughtвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ He had half turned to go, but was so drawn by her that he could scarcely tear himself away before she repeated: вАЬOh, do come, get in, Mr.¬†Griffiths. IвАЩll be so glad if you will. It wonвАЩt take David a moment to take you wherever you are going, IвАЩm sure. And I am sorry about the other, really I am. I didnвАЩt mean, you know, that just because you werenвАЩt Gilbert GriffithsвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

He paused and in a bewildered manner stepped forward and entering the car, slipped into the seat beside her. And she, interested by his personality, at once began to look at him, feeling glad that it was he now instead of Gilbert. In order the better to see and again reveal her devastating charms, as she saw them, to Clyde, she now switched on the roof light. And the chauffeur returning, she asked Clyde where he wished to goвБ†вАФan address which he gave reluctantly enough, since it was so different from the street in which she resided. As the car sped on, he was animated by a feverish desire to make some use of this brief occasion which might cause her to think favorably of himвБ†вАФperhaps, who knowsвБ†вАФlead to some faint desire on her part to contact him again at some time or other. He was so truly eager to be of her world. + 

вАЬItвАЩs certainly nice of you to take me up this way,вАЭ he now turned to her and observed, smiling. вАЬI didnвАЩt think it was my cousin you meant or I wouldnвАЩt have come up as I did.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh, thatвАЩs all right. DonвАЩt mention it,вАЭ replied Sondra archly with a kind of sticky sweetness in her voice. Her original impression of him as she now felt, had been by no means so vivid. вАЬItвАЩs my mistake, not yours. But IвАЩm glad I made it now, anyhow,вАЭ she added most definitely and with an engaging smile. вАЬI think IвАЩd rather pick you up than I would Gil, anyhow. We donвАЩt get along any too well, he and I. We quarrel a lot whenever we do meet anywhere.вАЭ She smiled, having completely recovered from her momentary embarrassment, and now leaned back after the best princess fashion, her glance examining ClydeвАЩs very regular features with interest. He had such soft smiling eyes she thought. And after all, as she now reasoned, he was BellaвАЩs and GilbertвАЩs cousin, and looked prosperous. + 

вАЬWell, thatвАЩs too bad,вАЭ he said stiffly, and with a very awkward and weak attempt at being self-confident and even high-spirited in her presence. + 

вАЬOh, it doesnвАЩt amount to anything, really. We just quarrel, thatвАЩs all, once in a while.вАЭ + 

She saw that he was nervous and bashful and decidedly unresourceful in her presence and it pleased her to think that she could thus befuddle and embarrass him so much. вАЬAre you still working for your uncle?вАЭ + 

вАЬOh, yes,вАЭ replied Clyde quickly, as though it would make an enormous difference to her if he were not. вАЬI have charge of a department over there now.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh, really, I didnвАЩt know. I havenвАЩt seen you at all, since that one time, you know. You donвАЩt get time to go about much, I suppose.вАЭ She looked at him wisely, as much as to say, вАЬYour relatives arenвАЩt so very much interested in you,вАЭ but really liking him now, she said instead, вАЬYou have been in the city all summer, I suppose?вАЭ + 

вАЬOh, yes,вАЭ replied Clyde quite simply and winningly. вАЬI have to be, you know. ItвАЩs the work that keeps me here. But IвАЩve seen your name in the papers often, and read about your riding and tennis contests and I saw you in that flower parade last June, too. I certainly thought you looked beautiful, like an angel almost.вАЭ + 

There was an admiring, pleading light in his eyes which now quite charmed her. What a pleasing young manвБ†вАФso different to Gilbert. And to think he should be so plainly and hopelessly smitten, and when she could take no more than a passing interest in him. It made her feel sorry, a little, and hence kindly toward him. Besides what would Gilbert think if only he knew that his cousin was so completely reduced by herвБ†вАФhow angry he would beвБ†вАФhe, who so plainly thought her a snip? It would serve him just right if Clyde were taken up by someone and made more of than he (Gilbert) ever could hope to be. The thought had a most pleasing tang for her. + 

However, at this point, unfortunately, the car turned in before Mrs.¬†PeytonвАЩs door and stopped. The adventure for Clyde and for her was seemingly over. + 

вАЬThatвАЩs awfully nice of you to say that. I wonвАЩt forget that.вАЭ She smiled archly as, the chauffeur opening the door, Clyde stepped down, his own nerves taut because of the grandeur and import of this encounter. вАЬSo this is where you live. Do you expect to be in Lycurgus all winter?вАЭ + 

вАЬOh, yes. IвАЩm quite sure of it. I hope to be anyhow,вАЭ he added, quite yearningly, his eyes expressing his meaning completely. + 

вАЬWell, perhaps, then IвАЩll see you again somewhere, some time. I hope so, anyhow.вАЭ + 

She nodded and gave him her fingers and the most fetching and wreathy of smiles, and he, eager to the point of folly, added: вАЬOh, so do I.вАЭ + 

вАЬGood night! Good night!вАЭ she called as the car sprang away, and Clyde, looking after it, wondered if he would ever see her again so closely and intimately as here. To think that he should have met her again in this way! And she had proved so very different from that first time when, as he distinctly recalled, she took no interest in him at all. + 

He turned hopefully and a little wistfully toward his own door. + 

And SondraвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ why was it, she pondered, as the motor car sped on its way, that the Griffiths were apparently not much interested in him? + 