s the news." Her voice sounded flippant. Jimmy was conscious of
a sharp pang as he listened to her. He hardly recognised Christine in
this girl who sat there avoiding his eyes, avoiding speaking to him
unless she were obliged.

Once she had hung on his every word; once she had flushed at the sound
of his step; but now, one might almost have thought she was Kettering's
wife instead of his.

He hated Kettering. He looked at him with sullen eyes. He thought of
what Sangster had said of this man--that he was always at Upton House;
that he seemed very friendly with both the girls. A vague jealousy
filled Jimmy's heart. Kettering was rich, whilst he--well, even the
small allowance sent to him by his brother looked now as if it were in
danger of ceasing entirely.

If the Great Horatio knew that he and Christine were practically
separated; if the Great Horatio ever knew the story of Cynthia Farrow,
Jimmy Challoner knew that it would be a very poor lookout for him
indeed.

He wondered how long Kettering meant to stay. He felt very much
inclined to give him a hint that his room would be preferable to his
company; but, after all, he himself was in such a weak position. He
had come to see Christine unasked. It was her house, and in her
present mood it was quite probable that she might order him out of it
if he should make any attempt to assert his authority.

She spoke to him suddenly; her beautiful brown eyes met his own
unfalteringly, with a curious antagonism in them.

"Shall you--shall you be staying to dinner, or have you to catch the
early train back to London?"

He might have been the veriest stranger. Jimmy flushed scarlet.
Kettering turned away and plunged haphazard into conversation with
Gladys Leighton.

Jimmy's voice trembled with rage as he forced himself to answer.

"I should like to stay to dinner--if I may."

He had never thought it possible that she could so treat him, never
believed that she could be so utterly indifferent. Christine laughed
carelessly.

"Oh, do stay, by all means. Perhaps Mr. Kettering will stay as well?"

Kettering turned. He could not meet her eyes.

"I am sorry. I should like to have stayed; but--but I have another
engagement. I am very sorry."

The words were lame enough; nobody believed their excuse. Kettering
rose to take his leave. He shook hands with Gladys and Jimmy. He
turned to Christine.

"I will come and see you off," she said.

She followed h