what then?" he enquired
as if to humour her.

"Why the particular person must never fail. We must manage it for you
somehow."

He threw back his head, laughing out; he was really exhilarated. "Oh
yes, somehow!"

"Well, I think we each do--don't we?--in one little way and another and
according to our limited lights. I'm pleased at any rate, for myself,
that you are; for I assure you I've done my best."

"You do better than any one!" He had struck a match for another
cigarette, and the flame lighted an instant his responsive finished face,
magnifying into a pleasant grimace the kindness with which he paid her
this tribute. "You're awfully clever, you know; cleverer, cleverer,
cleverer--!" He had appeared on the point of making some tremendous
statement; then suddenly, puffing his cigarette and shifting almost with
violence on his seat, he let it altogether fall.

CHAPTER XVII

In spite of this drop, if not just by reason of it, she felt as if Lady
Bradeen, all but named out, had popped straight up; and she practically
betrayed her consciousness by waiting a little before she rejoined:
"Cleverer than who?"

"Well, if I wasn't afraid you'd think I swagger, I should say--than
anybody! If you leave your place there, where shall you go?" he more
gravely asked.

"Oh too far for you ever to find me!"

"I'd find you anywhere."

The tone of this was so still more serious that she had but her one
acknowledgement. "I'd do anything for you--I'd do anything for you," she
repeated. She had already, she felt, said it all; so what did anything
more, anything less, matter? That was the very reason indeed why she
could, with a lighter note, ease him generously of any awkwardness
produced by solemnity, either his own or hers. "Of course it must be
nice for you to be able to think there are people all about who feel in
such a way."

In immediate appreciation of this, however, he only smoked without
looking at her. "But you don't want to give up your present work?" he at
last threw out. "I mean you _will_ stay in the post-office?"

"Oh yes; I think I've a genius for that."

"Rather! No one can touch you." With this he turned more to her again.
"But you can get, with a move, greater advantages?"

"I can get in the suburbs cheaper lodgings. I live with my mother. We
need some space. There's a particular place that has other inducements."

He just hesitated. "Where is it?"

"Oh quite out of _your_