ROSE AND ROSE 131

Was this " beating the band " ? Could anything
be farther from the ordinary conception of that
successful and honourable act than running off
with another man and leaving husband and
child ? And yet, it had required courage, devotion,
disregard of the world's censure — all the things
that properly-brqught-up and even universally
rei^ected people need not possess. What a
muddle is our civiUzation !



" You must forgive this untimely and unpro-
fessional visit," I said, as I was shown into Mrs.
O'Gorman's over-furnished sitting-room.
" Don't lae foolish. Doctor," she replied. " Have
done with your politeness. Don't I know why
you're here ? "

" You do ? " I exclaimed.
" Of course I do," she said. " It's about Rose.
She's bolted."

"But surely the villagers aren't talking?" I
s^d in a panic of alarm. " You don't mean to
say it's not a secret ! "
" No one knows but you and me,"said the old lady.
" And Suzannfe," I corrected.
" Oy Suzanne I She doesn't matter. She's an
aUy. But no one else knows. I know because I
had a letter to-day. Rose took me some way into
her confidence when she was staying with you.
Old people often get told things. But don't worry ;
it's all right."



132 ROSE AND ROSE

" All right ? " I echoed. " What do you mean ?
Do you want young wives to behave Uke this ? "

" When they're hke Rose — yes," she said.
