John and I passed the evening at the house, endur-
ing, with the fortitude of long experience, such deli-
cate enough banter as our likeness naturally sug-
gested. When the young lady and I were left alone
for a few minutes I looked her squarely in the face
and said with sudden gravity:
'You, too, Miss Margovan, have a double: I saw
her last Tuesday afternoon in Union Square.'
She trained her great grey eyes upon me for a
moment, but her glance was a trifle less steady than
my own and she withdrew it, fixing it on the tip of
her shoe.
'Was she very like me?' she asked, with an in-
difference which I thought a little overdone.
'So like,' said I, 'that I greatly admired her, and
being unwilling to lose sight of her I confess that I
followed her until--Miss Margovan, are you sure
that you understand?'
She was now pale, but entirely calm. She again
raised her eyes to mine, with a look that did not
falter.
'What do you wish me to do?' she asked. 'You
need not fear to name your terms. I accept them.'
It was plain, even in the brief time given me for
reflection, that in dealing with this girl ordinary
methods would not do, and ordinary exactions were
needless.
'Miss Margovan,' I said, doubtless with some-
thing of the compassion in my voice that I had in my
heart,' it is impossible not to think you the victim
of some horrible compulsion. Rather than impose
new embarrassments upon you I would prefer to
aid you to regain your freedom.
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