arrot-talk, would only have
appealed to his admiration as a further proof of her sagacity.

They went on to Venice the day after he arrived, with Arabella to make a
chaperoning third, and for the first two days afterwards Cecilia kept
him at arm's length, but not waiting for his dinner! Some instinct told
her that in his home circle he would probably have been accustomed to
worthy, punctual women, and, while she enjoyed tantalizing him, she knew
that he had a nasty temper and could not be provoked too far. No bonds
of honor or chivalry would control his actions as they would those of
John Derringham. She was dealing with as lawless a being as herself, and
it was very refreshing. Mr. Hanbury-Green knew her one weak point--she
was intensely sensitive of the world's opinion, as are all people who
inwardly know they are shams. She would have hated to be the center of a
scandal, from the point of view that it would irreparably close doors to
her; and her resentment of barriers and barrier-makers was always
present.

This he would remember as his strong card--the last to be played.--If
she continued being capricious until the moment of her _fiance's_
expected return, he would use all his cunning--and it was no
inconsiderable quantity--and compromise her irrevocably, and so get her
to surrender upon his terms. For he had made up his mind, as he sped to
Florence, that Cecilia Cricklander should return to England as his wife.

They had four days of the usual gay parties for every meal--there
happened to be a number of people passing through and staying at
Venice--and the early September weather was glorious and very hot.

Mrs. Cricklander delighted in a gondola. There was something about it
which set off her stately beauty, she felt, and she reveled in the
admiration she provoked; and so did Mr. Hanbury-Green--he prized that
which the crowd applauded. But time was passing, and nothing the least
definite was settled yet, although he knew he had obtained a certain
mastery over her.

On the Friday evening a telegram was received from John Derringham
saying he would return on the Saturday night, and Mr. Hanbury-Green felt
this was the moment to act. He had no intention of having any quarrel
with his rival, or of putting himself in the position of being called
upon to give an account of himself. The news of his dismissal must be
conveyed to John Derringham by the lady as that lady's free and
determined choice.

So Mr. Green wa