y effort, but the veins stood
out like cords on his forehead and his hands were clenched.

The two men looked at one another, and it was Ashton's eyes that
fell.

"If you're going to bullyrag me...." he began blusteringly, "I may as
well tell you that I'm not going back to Paris till I please,
and----"

"Very well," said Micky. He turned on his heel.

Raymond watched him cross the room anxiously. When he reached the door
he called to him--

"Micky! What the devil are you going to do?"

And Micky answered without turning--

"I'm going to tell Mrs. Clare the way you've treated Miss Shepstone,
and if she's half the decent sort I think she is she'll throw you
overboard as you've thrown scores of others...."

Ashton followed and clutched his arm. "Come back; don't be such a
firebrand! I'll go--I'll clear out by the first train to-morrow....
I'm sorry if Esther was upset, but...."

Micky cut him short. "The first train leaves Victoria at 9.40; I'll be
there to see you off."

Ashton scowled. "It's a nice way to treat a friend," he grumbled. "If
there's really anything up with Lallie ..."

Micky stood like a statue.

"It's decent of you to take her out," Ashton went on uneasily. "I'm
much obliged to you, I'm sure. She's never had much of a time. If I'd
had any money...."

Micky broke out then. "Oh, hold your infernal tongue," he said
furiously.

He walked out of the room, shutting the door hard behind him. He
passed the astonished maid in the hall and let himself out into the
night. The blood was pounding in his veins, he felt in actual need of
physical violence; he did not know how he had managed to keep his
hands off Raymond. He walked on at a furious pace; presently he
laughed with a sort of self-pity.

What was the good of what he had done after all? At best he had only
succeeded in staving off the inevitable for a little while; Esther
would have to know sooner or later.

Such wasted love it was! All for a man who was not worth one thought,
or even a tear!

When he got back to his rooms he told Driver to call him early, as he
was going to see somebody off by train. He was at Victoria long before
Ashton; the greeting between the two men was constrained.

"I was going back to-day, anyway," Ashton said jauntily. "I'm going to
be married the day after to-morrow----" He looked at Micky with
triumphant eyes. "To Mrs. Clare," he added.

* * * * *

When Micky go