the assumption that she had abandoned writing, sought frantically for some speech to bring her friend to her senses. Was Lucy losing her mind to subject herself to this brutality by an obvious sadist? Wickham undoubtedly had burned the beautiful cheek in a jealous rage. But Lucy spoke before Vida could think of anything to say.
"I have to watch the time because I have to stop at Bloomingdale's and the drugstore on the way back. I just have to be home when Hugh gets in. He's so interested in my welfare—but he's very jealous and so we have terrible fights."
"But, Lucy, the relationship doesn't make sense if it has this effect. You look and sound ill. And Figente says about Hugh—"
"I don't want to hear what Figente says. You shouldn't have told him about Hugh. I know what I'm doing. Hugh says I've always had my own way but he said the other day he thinks I've improved. What I want more than anything is to make a relationship last because before I've always walked out when I felt like it. You'll see, I'll work it out somehow, only don't phone," she babbled frenetically.
"I won't—if you promise you will when you have a chance," Vida promised and helplessly watched her rush away.
A week later Lucy sat in the bedroom fearful of going into the living room because of Lily. Suppose Lily refused to let her go out? What would she do then? Hugh and Lily were against her, watching every step she took. And if she didn't obey, Hugh struck her. Just the same, she had to get out for some air.
"I've been reading so much I'm just going out for a walk," she apologized, holding her breath but resigned not to insist if Lily objected.
"Certainly, madame," Lily said with that awful smile.
She walked over and into the Park where it began to snow softly.
"You know," she said out loud to the phantom of Paul Vermillion as she hastened to keep up with him, "I'm terribly mixed up. I wish you would tell me what to do. I'm going to give a concert with Ranna but all he wants to do is to make love. And I really am grateful for what Hugh is trying to do for me with his discipline but he doesn't seem to want me to do anything, not dance, just sit home and wait for him. It's as though he wants me to be nothing. Is that what you would want too?"
