, but it hurt him awfully.

"Very well," he answered wearily, and closed his eyes for a moment. "If
you are satisfied, that is all that need be said. As things go on, and I
reach where I mean to get, I dare say to spend money to do the thing
beautifully will please you as much as it will gratify me. I will give
you what I can of the honors and glories--so shall we consider our
bargain equal?"

This was not lover-like, and Mrs. Cricklander knew it, but it was better
to have got it all over. She was well aware that the "honors and
glories" would compensate her for the outlay of her dollars, but her red
mouth shut with a snap as she registered a thought.

"When I come back it may amuse me to make him really in love with me."
Then, watching carefully, she saw that some cloud of jar and disillusion
had settled upon her _fiance's_ face. So with her masterly skill she
tried to banish it, talking intelligently upon the political situation
and his prospects. It looked certain that the Government would not last
beyond the session--and then what would happen?

Mr. Hanbury-Green had given her a very clear forecast of what the other
side meant to do, but this she did not impart to John Derringham.

She made one really stupid mistake as she got up to leave the room.

"If you want a few thousands now, John," she said, as she bent to
lightly salute his cheek, "do let me know and I will send them to your
bank. They may be useful for the wedding."

A dull flush mounted to the roots of his hair, and then left him very
pale.

He took her hand and kissed it with icy homage.

"Thank you, no--" he said. "You are far too good. I will not take
anything from you until the bargain is completed."

Then their eyes met and in his there was a flash of steel.

And when she had gone from the room he lay and quivered, a sense of
hideous humiliation flooding his being.

The following day she came in the morning. She looked girlish in her
short tennis frock and was rippling with smiles. She sat on the bed and
kissed him--and then slipped her hand into his.

"John, darling," she said sweetly. "People will begin to talk if I stay
here at Wendover now that you are getting better--and you would hate
that as much as I--so I have settled to go to Carlsbad with Lady
Maulevrier--just for three weeks. By that time my splendid John will be
himself again and we can settle about our wedding--" then she bent and
kissed him once more before he could spea