nsisted upon. The
aloofness of her general attitude was naturally modified a little, in
deference to appearances, but at no time did she give Jacob the
slightest hope of breaking down the barrier of icy reserve with which
she had chosen to surround herself. He made one great effort about
midway through the meal.

"Miss Bultiwell," he said, "when I visited once at the Manor
House--the first time it was, I think--you were very kind to me."

"I have forgotten the circumstance."

"I have not. I never could. I remember that I arrived on a bicycle,
very hot and somewhat--er--inappropriately dressed. Your father, who
had invited me over because at that time I was a useful business
connection, took no particular pains to set me at my ease. I was very
uncomfortable. You were exceedingly kind to me that evening."

"Was I?" she asked indifferently.

Jacob took a sip of champagne and went on valiantly.

"I had never met any one like you before. I have never met any one
like you since. Why should you treat me as though I were something
entirely contemptible, because I refused to accept your father's
fraudulent balance sheet and put money into a ruined business?"

Sybil's blue eyes, which, as he knew, alas! too well, were capable of
holding such sweet and tender lights, flashed upon him with a single
moment's anger.

"I had hoped," she said severely, "that you would have had the good
taste to avoid this subject. Since you have opened it, however, let me
remind you that I am a woman, and that feelings count for far more
with me than arguments. You may have been perfectly justified in what
you did. At the same time, you were the immediate cause of the tragedy
surrounding my father's death. For that I shall never forgive you."

"It doesn't seem quite fair, does it?" he complained, with a strange
little quiver of his underlip.

"Women seldom are fair in their likes and dislikes," she pronounced.
"I hope you will not pursue the subject."

"Is it permitted to ask you any questions with regard to your present
avocation?" he ventured, a few minutes later.

"I have no objection to telling you what I am doing," she replied. "I
am taking a course of shorthand and typewriting at an office in Fleet
Street."

The horror of it chilled Jacob to the very soul. He had only that
morning received a cheque from his brother for an unexpected bonus,
which amounted to more than she would ever be able to earn in the
whole course of her life.