and deliciously serious, and of indicating
by an earnest glance that of course she was very ignorant really, and
only too glad to learn from a man like him.

'Can't I!' he replied, after she had gazed at him in silence over the
yellow roses and the fowl.

So she told him that she was an orphan, and had a brother who was a
solicitor in Leicester. Why Henry should have immediately thought that
her brother was a somewhat dull and tedious person cannot easily be
explained; but he did think so.

She went on to tell him that she had been in London five years, and had
begun in a milliner's shop, had then learnt typewriting and shorthand,
advertised for a post, and obtained her present situation with Mark
Snyder.

'I was determined to earn my own living,' she said, with a charming
smile. 'My brother would have looked after me, but I preferred to look
after myself.' A bangle slipped down her arm.

'She's perfectly wonderful!' Henry thought.

And then she informed him that she was doing fairly well in journalism,
and had attempted sensational fiction, but that none saw more clearly
than she how worthless and contemptible her sort of work was, and none
longed more sincerely than she to produce good work, serious work....
However, she knew she couldn't.

'Will you do me a favour?' she coaxed.

'What is it?' he said.

'Oh! No! You must promise.'

'Of course, if I can.'

'Well, you can. I want to know what your next book's about. I won't
breathe a word to a soul. But I would like you to tell me. I would like
to feel that it was you that had told me. You can't imagine how keen I
am.'

'Ask me a little later,' he said. 'Will you?'

'To-night?'

She put her head on one side.

And he replied audaciously: 'Yes.'

'Very well,' she agreed. 'And I shan't forget. I shall hold you to your
promise.'

Just then two men passed the table, and one of them caught Geraldine's
eye, and Geraldine bowed.

'Well, Mr. Doxey,' she exclaimed. 'What ages since I saw you!'

'Yes, isn't it?' said Mr. Doxey.

They shook hands and talked a moment.

'Let me introduce you to Mr. Henry Knight,' said Geraldine. 'Mr.
Knight--Mr. Doxey, of the P.A.'

'_Love in Babylon?_' murmured Mr. Doxey inquiringly. 'Very pleased to
meet you, sir.'

Henry was not favourably impressed by Mr. Doxey's personal appearance,
which was attenuated and riggish. He wondered what 'P.A.' meant. Not
till later in the evening did he learn that it stood for Press