tly she began to draw on her gloves, but he continued staring
into space, not noticing her, and finally she bent forward and rested
her slim gloved fingers on his hand, lightly, interrogatively.

"Yes; all right," he muttered.

"I have to go to business in the morning," she pleaded. He turned
almost impatiently:

"If I had my way you wouldn't go to business at all."

"If I had my way I wouldn't either," she rejoined, smilingly. But his
youthful visage remained sober and flushed. And when they were seated
in the limousine and the fur rug enveloped them both, he said
abruptly:

"I'm getting tired of this business."

"What business, Clive?"

"Everything--the way you live--your inadequate quarters--your having
to work all day long in that stuffy office, day after day, year after
year!"

She said, surprised and perplexed: "But it can't be helped, Clive! I
have to work."

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean--what good am I to you--what's the use of me, if I can't make
things easier for you?"

"The _use_ of you? Did you think I ever had any idea of using you?"

"But I want you to."

"How?" she asked, still uneasily perplexed, her eyes fixed on him.

But he had no definite idea, no plan fixed, nothing further to say on
a subject that had so suddenly taken shape within his mind.

She asked him again for an explanation, but, receiving none, settled
back thoughtfully in her furs. Only once did he break the silence.

"You know," he said indifferently, "that row of houses, of which
yours is one, belongs to me. I mean to me, personally."

"No, I didn't know it."

"Well it does. It's my own investment.... I've reduced rents--pending
improvements."

She looked up at him.

"The rent of your apartment has been reduced fifty per cent.," he said
carelessly; "so your rent is now paid until the new term begins next
October."

"Clive! That is perfectly ridiculous!" she began, hotly; but he swung
around, silencing her:

"Are you criticising my business methods?" he demanded.

"But that is too silly--"

"Will you mind your business!" he exclaimed, turning and taking her by
both shoulders. She looked into his eyes, searching them in silence.
Then:

"You're such a dear," she sighed; "why do you want to do a thing like
that when my sisters and I can afford to pay the present rent. You are
always doing such things, Clive; you have simply covered my
dressing-table with silver; my bureau is full of pretty things,