grimly obstinate.

There was a moment of silence; then Esther drew herself up.

"I think you must be mad," she said. "I've only seen you once or twice
in my life. I have told you that I am already engaged."

"I know, but it makes no difference," said Micky. "I ask you to marry
me--will you marry me?"

She drew back from him.

"You must be mad."

Micky laughed. "You've said that two or three times already, but I
assure you that I'm quite sane. I loved you the first moment I ever
saw you, but, of course, you won't believe it. However, that doesn't
matter--you haven't answered my question. Will you marry me?"

"You know I am engaged--how dare you?..." She backed away from him
till she was close to the door. Micky laughed savagely.

"You needn't be afraid--I'm not going to hurt you--I'm not going to
move from this hearthrug, but I should like you to answer my question.
Once again, will you marry me?"

"No----"

He forgot his promise and took a step towards her.

"I can make you happier than any other man possibly could. I've never
cared for a woman in my life till I met you...."

"I wouldn't marry you if you were the only man in the world--I--I
don't even like you...." Her voice shook with anger now. "My answer is
no--no--no! I shall never change my mind if I live to be a hundred
..." she added vehemently. The words seemed forced from her by
something in his eyes.

"You will," said Micky calmly, though he felt anything but calm.
"Women always do; but if you don't feel like changing it just at this
moment, will you please tell June I am here? I came to see her, and
I'm tired of waiting...." He turned away and went back to his seat on
the arm of the big chair as if nothing had happened, but his hand
shook when he tried to light a cigarette.

When June came back he was absently turning the pages of a magazine;
she looked at him for a moment, then began to laugh.

"Micky! What in the world has happened to you lately? Do you always
read a paper upside down?"

Micky started, looked down at the magazine, and said a bad word; then
he laughed too, and flinging the magazine across the room got to his
feet, stretching his long arms.

"Where's Esther?" June demanded. "I asked her to stay and amuse you
till I came back...."

"She did her best," said Micky drily. "But I am afraid I bored her."

June looked annoyed.

"I do think you two might try and like one another, if only for my
sake," she said. "It's so per