servant who had opened the door.

"He's not in," she said to Henry when he joined her.

"Then I won't ..."

"Come in," she interrupted. "I want to say something to you!"

He followed her into the hall and up the stairs to the drawing-room,
where she left him while she went to her room to take off her outdoor
garments. He moved aimlessly about until she returned. She had changed
her clothes, and was wearing a loose golden silk teagown with a girdle
round it, and the gold in her hair seemed to be enriched by the gold in
her dress. She went up to him quickly, putting her hands on his
shoulders and drawing him close to her.

"Paddy!" she said, and her voice was very tense.

"Yes?" he answered.

"I've never asked you to do anything for me, have I?" She put her arms
round his neck and kissed him. He tried to answer her, but could not
because her lips were tightly pressed on his.

"You won't go, will you?" she murmured, closing her eyes and tightening
her hold on him.

He struggled a little.... "Why don't you want me to go with Gilbert?" he
said.

But she did not answer his question. She drew him back to her again,
whispering, "I love you, Paddy, I love you. I don't love any one else
but you!"

He threw his arms about her, and they stood there forgetful of
everything....

She moved a little, and he led her to the sofa where they sat down
together. She laid her head on his shoulder, and he put his arms around
her and drew her warm, yielding body close to his. He could feel the
beating of her heart....

"You won't go, will you, Paddy?" she whispered.

"No," he answered, bending over her and kissing her.

She drew herself closer to him. "Dear Paddy!" she said.

7

He went up to Gilbert's room immediately after he returned home. All the
way back from Lady Cecily's, he had told himself that he must tell
Gilbert at once that he was not going to Ireland because he was in love
with Cecily "and because she's in love with me!" and he had repeated his
resolution many times to himself in the hope that by thinking
exclusively of it, there would be no opportunity for other thoughts to
come into his head. He shrank from the meeting with Gilbert, for his
conscience hurt him because of his betrayal of Gilbert's love and
friendship. He had palliated his conduct by saying to himself that
Gilbert had given Cecily up, but the excuse would not serve to absolve
him from the sense of unfriendly behaviour.

"I'm making excu