elieve that--on your honor, is it truth?"

"Yes, it is."

"You saw it--just as it is there?"

"Yes, it is exact. I had no right to take it or to show it you."

"What does that matter, man? Do you think I care about that? But--yes,
it is true. God help me!"

"We have seen it, you know. It was time you saw it."

"Time, indeed!"

"Where's the harm?" asked Morewood, in a rough effort at comfort.

"The harm? But you don't understand. It is the face of a beast!"

"My dear fellow, that's stuff! It's only the face of a lover."

Stafford looked at him in a dazed way.

"I wish you'd let me go back to my room, Morewood, and give me that
picture. No--I won't hurt it."

"Take it, then, and pull yourself together. What's the harm, again I
say? And if she loves you--"

"What?" he cried eagerly. Then, checking himself, "Hold your peace, in
Heaven's name, and let me go!"

He went his way, and Morewood leaped from the window to find the other
two. He found them, but not alone. Ayre was discoursing to Claudia and
appeared entirely oblivious of the occurrence which he had precipitated.
Eugene was walking up and down with Kate Bernard. It is necessary to
listen to what the latter couple were saying.

"This is sad news, Kate," Eugene said. "Why are you going to leave us?"

"My aunt wants me to go with her to Buxton in September, and we're going
to have a few days on the river before that."

"Then we shall not meet again for some time?"

"No. Of course I shall write to you."

"Thank you--I hope you will. You've had a pleasant time, I hope? Who are
to be your river party?"

"Oh, just ourselves and one or two girls and men. Lord Rickmansworth is
to be there a day or two, if he can. And--oh, yes, Mr. Haddington, I
think."

"Isn't Haddington staying here?"

"I don't know. I understood not. So your party will break up," Kate went
on. "Of course, Claudia can't stay when I go."

"Why not?"

"Really, Eugene, it would be hardly the thing."

"I believe my mother is not thinking of going."

"Do you mean you will ask Claudia?"

"I certainly cannot ask her to curtail her visit."

"Anyhow, Father Stafford goes soon, and she won't stay then."

This last shaft accomplished Miss Bernard's presumable object. Eugene
lost his temper.

"Forgive me for saying so, Kate," he said, "but really at times your
mind seems to me positively vulgar."

"I am not going to quarrel. I am quite aware of what you want."

"What's that?"