imperturbably. "The two
girls are as different as chalk from cheese. Miss Wyatt would soon
dislike Cynthia--they live in different worlds."

"Fortunately for Cynthia perhaps," said Jimmy savagely. "For pure,
ghastly dullness, recommend me to what is called the 'best
society' . . . . Christine is only a child--she always will be as long
as she is tied to her mother's apron-strings. I like Mrs. Wyatt
awfully, but you must admit that we've had a distinctly dull evening."

There was a moment's silence.

"If you really think that," said Sangster quietly, "I should keep away
from them, and I should most certainly give up paying attention to Miss
Wyatt."

Jimmy Challoner stopped dead. He turned and stared at his friend.

"What the devil are you talking about?" he demanded. His face looked
furious in the yellow light of a street lamp they were passing. "I pay
attention to Christine! Why"--he laughed suddenly--"She's only a
child."

"Very well, you know your own business best, of course; and Jimmy----"

"Well?"--ungraciously.

Sangster hesitated; finally:

"Did--did Cynthia say anything to you to-night?--anything special, I
mean?"

Jimmy laughed drearily.

"She said it was cold, or something equally interesting. She also said
that I might call upon her any afternoon, and that she was always
pleased to see her 'friends.'" He accented the last word bitterly.
"What did you expect her to say to me?" he inquired.

"Nothing; at least . . . you know what they are saying in the clubs?"

"What are they saying?"

"That she is engaged to Mortlake."

Through the darkness he heard Jimmy catch his breath hard in his throat.

"Of course, that may be only club talk," he hastened to add kindly.

"I never thought it could be anything else," said Jimmy with a rush.
"I know it's a lie, anyway. How can she be engaged to Mortlake, or any
other man--if her husband is living?"

"No," Sangster agreed quietly. "She certainly cannot be engaged to any
other man if her husband is still living."

There was an underlying meaning in his voice. Jimmy swung round
savagely.

"What are you trying to get at?" he asked. "If you know anything, tell
me and have done with it."

"I don't know anything; I am only repeating what I have heard."

"A pack of gossiping old women"--savagely.

They walked a few steps silently.

"Why not forget her, Jimmy?" said Sangster presently. "She isn't the
only woman in the world. Put her