es of self-interest suggest the
advisability of withdrawing, even if I were not here to enforce it. When
I take into consideration the trouble and expense you have incurred in
coming here, and the subsequent disappointment of the affections, a
widow's affections, I feel justified in offering, though without my
friend's permission, to pay your journey back to America, an offer which
any further unpleasantness or delay would of course oblige me to
retract."

She hesitated, and he saw his advantage and kept it.

"You have not much time to lose," he said, laying his watch on the
table, "unless you would prefer the house-keeper to do your packing for
you. No? I agree with you. On a sea voyage especially, one likes to know
where one's things are. If I give you a check for your return journey, I
shall, of course, expect you to sign a paper to the effect that you have
no claim on Mr. Dare, that you never were his legal wife, and that you
will not trouble him in future. You would like a few moments for
reflection? Good! I will write out the form while you consider, as there
is no time to be lost."

He looked about for writing materials, and, finding only an ancient
inkstand and pen, took a note from his pocket-book and tore a blank
half-sheet off it. His quiet deliberate movements awed her as he
intended they should. She glanced first at him writing, then at the gold
watch on the table between them, the hours of which were marked on the
half-hunting face by alternate diamonds and rubies, each stone being the
memorial of a past success in shooting-matches. The watch impressed her;
to her practised eye it meant a very large sum of money, and she knew
the power of money; but the cool, unconcerned manner of this tall,
keen-eyed Englishman impressed her still more. As she looked at him he
ceased writing, got out a check, and began to fill it in.

"What Christian name?" he asked, suddenly.

"Ellen," she replied, taken aback.

"Payable to order or bearer?"

"Bearer," she said, confused by the way he took her decision for
granted.

"Now," he said, authoritatively, "sign your name there;" and he pushed
the form he had drawn up towards her. "I am sorry I cannot offer you a
better pen."

She took the pen mechanically and signed her name--_Ellen Carroll_.
Charles's light eyes gave a flash as she did it.

"Manner is everything," he said to himself. "I believe the mention of
that imaginary policeman may have helped, but a little