It's getting awfully dull in London. Miss Harper asked me to call
her "Mabel." Rather cheek, I thought, don't you think so? But she's
really awfully decent. I can't write a long letter because we're
going to the Palace. I say, do buck up and come back to London, I'm
getting bored. Love and kisses.

Lily.

What's the good of _writing_ "kisses"?

What indeed was the good of writing "kisses"? Michael thought, as the
match fizzed out in the dewy grass at his feet. It was not fair to treat
Lily like this. He had captured her from life with Sylvia, because he
had meant to marry her at once. Now he had left her alone in that flat
with a woman he did not know at all. Whatever people might say against
Lily, she was very patient and trustful. "She must love me a good
deal," Michael said. "Or she wouldn't stand this casual treatment."

Pauline came to tea next day with her sisters Margaret and Monica.
Michael had an idea that she did not like him very much. She talked
shyly and breathlessly to him; and he, embarrassed by her shyness,
answered in monosyllables.

"Pauline is rather jealous of you," said Guy that evening, as they sat
in the library.

"Jealous of me?" Michael was amazed.

"She has some fantastic idea that you don't approve of our engagement.
Of course, I told her what nonsense she was thinking; but she vowed that
this afternoon you showed quite plainly your disapproval of her. She
insists that you are very cold and severe."

"I'm afraid I was very dull," Michael confessed apologetically. "But I
was really envying you and her for being together in May."

"Together!" Guy repeated. "It's the object of everyone in Wychford to
keep us apart!"

"Do tell her I'm not cold," Michael begged. "And say how lovely I think
her; for really, Guy, she is very lovely and strange. She is a fairy's
child."

"She is, she is," Guy said. "Sometimes I'm nearly off my head with the
sense of responsibility I have for her happiness. I wonder and wonder
until I'm nearly crazed."

"I'm feeling responsible just now about Lily. I've never told you, Guy,
but you may hear from other people that I've made what is called a
mesalliance. Of course, Lily has been...." He stumbled. He could find no
words that would not humiliate himself and her. "Guy, come up with me
to-morrow and meet her. It's not fair to leave her like this," he
suddenly proclaimed.

"I don't think I can come away."

"Oh, yes, you can.