Miss Rozenkrantz, a Swede with spectacles, made peace, as if by chance, with her explanation of a new association in Stockholm—the “Women’s Anti-Marriage League.”
“What are its articles?” Miss Rowrer asked.
“Absolute indifference to men—woman by herself in all and for all—meetings—lectures to girls—mutual aid—unions.”
“Ethel, who was their leader”
Conversation followed in which the Anti-Marriage League was discussed. On such subjects Mlle. Yvonne did not speak. She listened with astonishment to these young women from the countries of the North talking among themselves of things on which she never touched: marriage and anti-marriage—leagues—clubs—of all this she was ignorant.
Mlle. Yvonne was passing two months in Paris. It was the Comtesse de Donjeon, a friend of the Grojean family, who had introduced her to Miss Rowrer. The two young women were unlike both in education and ideas—and they at once became great friends. But Mlle. Yvonne was shortly to return to her old tranquil, provincial home, and she was enjoying her last weeks in Paris. To-day, especially, she was delighted to hear them talking freely before her, and, most of all, about marriage. For her it was the escapade of a school-girl looking over the wall at the fruits of a forbidden garden.
One thing, however, was troubling her. Her mother had not come back, as she always did, to take her home. Doubtless there was some unforeseen hindrance. She confided her disquiet to Ethel.
“Don’t worry; your mother will come. And even if she does not, you can go away alone, I suppose.”