you."

The words were hardly uttered before Hilda's light step sounded outside,
and her hand tried the door.

Chris started violently, and cowered among her cushions. Noel chuckled
softly.

"Chris dear, what is the matter? Let me in!" Anxiety and persuasion were
mingled in Hilda's voice.

Noel's chuckle became audible. "She isn't going to. She doesn't want
anyone but me. Do you, Chris?"

Chris made no reply. She was staring at the door with starting eyes.

Noel went leisurely across and set his back against it. His eyes still
gleamed roguishly, but his mouth had ceased to smile.

"I say, Hilda," he said, over his shoulder, "if you want to do Chris a
good turn, tell that beastly cad behind you to go. I shan't let him in,
anyhow, not if he stays till doomsday. So he may as well clear out at
once."

"My dear Noel, how can you be so absurd?" Hilda's placid tones held real
annoyance for once.

But the cause of it was quite unimpressed.

"Your dear Noel is acting up to his lights," he returned, "and he has no
intention of doing anything else, absurd or otherwise. Chris is nearly
scared out of her wits, so you had better take my advice sharp."

This last information took instant effect upon Hilda. She turned her
attention to Chris forthwith.

"My dear, do let me in! There is nothing whatever to frighten you. I
promise you shall not be frightened. Chris, tell that absurd boy to open
the door--please, dearest!"

"I--can't!" gasped Chris.

"She isn't going to," said Noel. "You run along, Hilda. And you can tell
Trevor with my love that if he'll clear out now I'll meet him at any time
and place he likes to mention and have a damned old row."

"Very good of you!" Another voice spoke on the other side of the door,
and Noel jumped in spite of himself. "But at the present moment you don't
count. Is Chris there? I want to speak to her."

The leisurely tones came, measured and distinct, through the closed door,
and Chris covered her face and shivered. "Oh, you'll have to let him in!"
she said. "Only--don't go away! Don't leave me alone with him!"

"Chris!" Mordaunt's voice, calm and unhurried, addressed her directly.
"Jack is here with me. Will you let us in?"

Chris lifted a haggard face. "Open the door, Noel!" she said.

"Why?" demanded Noel, with sudden ferocity. "We are not going to knock
under to him. Why should we?"

"It's no use," she said. "We can't help it. Besides--besides--" She broke
off with somet