"I do not think," she said, "that he quite knows what it means to be in love."
Sophy suddenly clasped her friend's knees.
"Dear," she whispered, "perhaps I am a little fool, but tell me, please!"
Louise, for a moment, was startled. Then she leaned forward and kissed the eager, upturned face.
"You foolish child!" she exclaimed. "I believe that you have been worrying. Why do you think so much about other people?"
"Please tell me," Sophy begged. "I want to understand how things really are between you and John Strangewey. Are you in love with him?"
Louise's eyes were soft and dreamy.
"I wish I knew," she answered. "If I am, then there are things in life more wonderful than I have ever dreamed of. He doesn't live in our world—and our world, as you know, has its grip. He knows nothing about my art, and you can guess what life would be to me without that. What future could there be for him and for me together? I cannot remake myself."
There was something in Sophy's face which was almost like wonder.
"So this is the meaning of the change in you, Louise! I knew that something had happened. You have seemed so different for the last few months."