He had considered Alice one of the nicest girls he had ever seen, but since going to the country had not thought much about her. And since seeing the fairy-like lady with the big brown mare, he had an altogether higher idea of the feminine. But Richard had not yet arrived at any readiness to fall in love, his readiness being delayed until his individuality was sufficiently developed. The man who is growing to be one with his own nature, that is, one with God who is the naturing nature, is coming nearer and nearer to every one of his fellow beings. This may seem a long way around to love, but it is the only road by which we can arrive at true love of any kind. He who does not walk this road will never know love as it is meant to be.

One stormy night, as Richard was returning from a house in Park Crescent to which he had delivered a valuable book he had restored, a girl came toward him, fighting against the wind with a weak umbrella, and ran into him. The collision was slight, but she looked up and begged his pardon.

“Alice!” he began.

But before he could speak again, she gave a cry and ran from him as fast as she could go. With the fierce wind and the unruliness of the umbrella, which she was vainly trying to close so that she could run better, she ran into a lamp post. Richard, close behind her, put an arm around her to catch her fall. She did not resist.

The same moment he saw a cab and hailed it. Richard lifted her into it and got in after her. But Alice came to herself, got up, and leaning out of the cab, tried to open the door. Richard caught her, drew her back, and made her sit down again.

“Richard! Richard!” she cried as she yielded to his superior strength and began to cry. “Where are you taking me?”

“Wherever you like, Alice. You may tell the cabman yourself. What is the matter with you? Don’t be angry with me. It isn’t my fault I have not been to see you and Arthur. Nobody could tell me where you moved. Give the cabman your address, Alice.”

“I’m not going home,” sobbed Alice.

“Where are you going, then? I will go with you. You’re not fit to go anywhere alone. I’m afraid you’re hurt.”

“No, no! Please let me out! You must!”

“I won’t. You’ll fall down and be left to the police. It’s horrible to think of you out in such a night. Come home with me. If you are in any trouble, my mother will help you.”

“Your mother would kill me!”

“Nonsense!” he said. “What an idea! My mother!”

“I’ve seen her since you went. She made me promise—”

She stopped, and Richard could get from her nothing but pleadings to be let out.

“If you don’t,” she said at last, growing desperate, “I will scream.”