to!" she snapped him up. "Oh, I understand you
perfectly. Didn't I warn you I was penniless? You can't afford to love
a penniless Nobody, can you--a shop-girl masquerading in
borrowed finery! No--please don't look so incredulous; you must have
guessed. Anyway, that's all I am, or was--a shop-girl out of
work--before I was brought here to be Mrs. Gosnold's secretary. And
that's all I'll be to-morrow, or as soon as ever she learns that I way
lay her men guests at all hours and--steal their kisses!"

"She won't learn that from me," said Lyttleton, "not if you hold your
tongue."

She drew back a pace, as though he had made to strike her, and for a
moment was speechless, staring into the new countenance he showed
her--the set, cold mask of the insolent, conquering male. And chagrin
ate at her heart like an acid, so that inwardly she writhed with the
pain of it.

"I--!" she breathed, incredulous. "I hold my tongue! Oh! Do you think
for an instant I'm anxious to advertise my ignominy?"

"It's a bargain, then?" he suggested coolly. "For my part, I don't
mind admitting I'd much rather it didn't ever become known that I,
too, was--let's say--troubled with insomnia to-night. But if you say
nothing, and I say nothing--why, of course--there's not much I
wouldn't do for you, my dear!"

After a little she said quietly: "Of course I deserved this. But I'm
glad now it turned out the way it has. Two minutes ago I was wild with
the shame of making myself so cheap as to let you--of being
such a fool as to dream you would lower yourself to the level of a
woman not what you'd call your social equal, who could so far forget
her dignity as to let you see she cared for you. But, of course, since
I am not that--your peer--but only a shop-girl, I'm glad it's
happened. Because now I understand some things better--you, for
example. I understand you very well now--too well!"

She laughed quietly to his dashed countenance: "Oh, I'm cured, no
fear!" and turned as if to leave him.

He proved, however, unexpectedly loath to let her go.

Such spirit was not altogether new in his experience, but it wasn't
every day one met a girl who had it; whatever her social status, here
was rare fire--or the promise of it. Nor had he undervalued her; he
had suspected as much from the very first; connoisseur that he was,
his flair had not deceived him.

His lips tightened, his eyes glimmered ominously.

And she was, in a way, at his mercy. If what she sai