“Stargarde does not believe in heredity,” said Vivienne.
“She does, but to a limited degree only. That is where she makes a mistake. Yet in her case every theory with regard to heredity has been thrown to the winds. One might almost say she was born damned.” Vivienne looked him severely in the face. “I have shocked you,” he said irritably. “Yet if you knew everything——”
“Stargarde says,” began Vivienne, “that one should look after little children, give them good food and wholesome surroundings, and God will take care of the rest.”
“What about the ancestors?” he said. “Children are helpless there, and that is where the mischief comes in. I wish I had had the choosing of mine,” he added under his breath. “I should have been a happier man.”
A swift and intense compassion took possession of Vivienne, which, though she gave no expression to it, he seemed to understand perfectly and to slightly resent.
“I am not so unhappy as you imagine,” he observed, “and I beg your pardon for talking to you so freely; I don’t know why I do it.”
His tone was as sulky as that of a boy, and Vivienne wisely forebore to answer him. For a long time they walked on without speaking; then to break the awkward silence she said, “Stargarde has saved many children.”
Mr. Armour smiled faintly. “You are coming under her influence; if it weren’t for your engagement I daresay you would make a Stargarde the second.”
“I am going to break my engagement,” said Vivienne quickly. “Mr. Armour, I cannot——”
He stopped short and looked down at her. “What is this?”