one another…by their Christian names, forget that my name is Ryland, and call me…Denise!”
“I should love to!” cried Helen Cumberly; “in fact, I wanted to do so the very first time I saw you; perhaps because Mira Leroux always referred to you as Denise”…
“May I also avail myself of the privilege?” inquired Dr. Cumberly with gravity, “and may I hope that you will return the compliment?”
“I cannot…do it!” declared Denise Ryland, firmly. “A doctor…should never be known by any other name than…Doctor. If I heard any one refer to my own…physician as Jack or…Bill, or Dick…I should lose all faith in him at once!”
As the lunch proceeded, Dr. Cumberly gradually grew more silent, seeming to be employed with his own thoughts; and although his daughter and Denise Ryland were discussing the very matter that engaged his own attention, he took no part in the conversation for some time. Then:
“I agree with you!” he said, suddenly, interrupting Helen; “the greatest blow of all to Leroux was the knowledge that his wife had been deceiving him.”
“He invited…deceit!” proclaimed Denise Ryland, “by his…criminal neglect.”
“Oh! how can you say so!” cried Helen, turning her gray eyes upon the speaker reproachfully; “he deserves—”
