fidences about others do pall after a
time. The reaction from Jasmyn made her perhaps more encouraging than
she was aware of--she was so depressed about Chetwode's absence. After
tea and preliminary platitudes, Mr. Wilton sat beside her on the sofa
and took her hand.

"What on earth do you mean by that?" she said, looking more annoyed than
surprised.

"You said yourself that life was so short the other night! I haven't the
time--I tell you frankly--to be a tame cat and a hanger-on and one of
your collection!"

"Really! Sorry you're so busy. I looked upon you as one of the
unemployed." She was amazed at his tactlessness.

"You were mistaken. When a thing like this happens--a genuine
_coup-de-foudre_--a man is only a fool who doesn't face it and admit it
at once. I care for you really, though I haven't known you--very long.
I'll cut it out of my life unless you give me ever such a distant hope
that you will--like me--too."

"Will you look at my husband's photograph, Mr. Wilton? He's really very
handsome--and particularly amusing. We've been married just thirteen
months."

"An unlucky number! Yes, I know he's handsome--and, no doubt,
delightful. But he isn't here."

"What's that got to do with it?"

"Everything. You know he might be here--with you, and he's not."

"That's his business."

"And mine!" audaciously answered the young man.

"Will you please not take my hand, and recollect that I'm not a
housemaid 'walking out' with her young man?"

He did not obey her.

"I should never have suspected you of such bank-holiday manners," she
said, at once amused and angry.

"You can call it bank-holiday or anything you like--and if you don't
like it I'm sorry, but really you deserve it! You may drive people mad
with your little ways, and they may stand it if they like. I can't."

Evidently Mr. Wilton was losing his head. It was quite interesting.

"I saw from the first that firmness is my only chance with you," he said
half apologetically. He then made the terrible mistake of trying to kiss
her. She slid away like an acrobat, pressed the electric bell, and sat
down again with a heightened colour.

"I beg your pardon," said Wilton humbly. "I know it was very wrong. I
couldn't help it. You needn't ring and turn me out of the house,--I'll
go."

"I wasn't going to."

Greenstock appeared.

"Please bring a glass of iced-water," said Felicity in clear crystal
tones.

"Oh, Lady Chetwode!"

During the moment