f I had even twenty pounds a
year to bring you, I'd risk it; but you know quite well that if I marry
against Andrew's wishes any time within seven years I forfeit
everything."

"If I killed Andrew," asked the painter grimly, "who would his money go
to?"

"Wait!" she said, her spirit smiling through her eyes. "Don't you trust
father to help us somehow--some time or other?"

He twisted his mustache desperately upwards.

"I want to help myself."

She smiled openly now.

"You can't be trusted yet; you're so greedy!"

He laughed, but a little wryly.

"It's because I'm starving."

"Then work, work!" said Jean.

"I can't work harder," he answered more philosophically. "I can only
sell faster."

"And you're doing that too," she said encouragingly.

They needed all the encouragement they could snatch, these two perverse
and desperate lovers. People who lack the sense to provide themselves
with an income after falling in love generally do.

At the end of an hour, one of those galloping hours that fly swifter
than ten ordinary minutes, they passed out into the lane again. The mist
was now so thick that even when the way grew straight they could see no
more than two lamps ahead, and it was very chill and damp.

"I'll hail a cab as soon as I see one."

"I won't drive in it, I warn you."

He implored, but she shook her fair head resolutely.

"One of us must be practical," she persisted.

"And the other in love?"

She pressed his hand, but remained the charming incarnation of
obstinacy. He laughed at last, though a little anxiously as he saw a
fringe of tiny drops gather on her hair; and he let her have her way.
Together they entered a bus and slowly rumbled eastwards. The bus was
full, and for a long time they sat in silence.

"It's quite fine here!" she exclaimed at last; "we've come out of the
mist--look at the stars!"

They both cheered up amazingly. It actually seemed as if they were
preposterous enough to take this ordinary meteorological incident as an
omen.

CHAPTER IV

"We'll have to ask the Rivingtons," said Andrew.

"And not the Donaldsons?" inquired his wife.

Andrew reflected. This was to be a very special dinner party; quite the
smartest function they had given yet. His sister would want to be there,
especially when she heard the Ramornies were coming over for it. On the
other hand, they knew a great many more distinguished people than Hector
and his wife had yet become, and of