ng."

He put his hand on her shoulder. "Sylvia, don't--play with me!" he
said.

His tone was quiet, but it held a warning that brought her eyes to
his in a flash. She stood so for a few seconds, facing him, and
her breast heaved once or twice as if breathing had become
difficult.

At last, "There was no need to say that to me, partner," she said,
in a choked voice. "You don't know me--even as well as--as you
might--if you--if you took the trouble." She paused a moment, and
put her hand to her throat. Her eyes were full of tears. "And
now--good night!" she said abruptly.

Her tone was a command. He let her go, and in an instant the door
had closed between them. He stood motionless, waiting tensely for
the shooting of the bolt; but it did not come. He only heard
instead a faint sound of smothered sobbing.

For a space he stood listening, his face drawn into deep lines, his
hands hard clenched. Then at length with a bitter gesture he
flung himself down at the table.

He was still sitting motionless a quarter of an hour later, the
food untouched before him, when the intervening door opened
suddenly and silently, and like a swooping bird Sylvia came swiftly
behind him and laid her two hands on his shoulders.

"Partner dear, I've been a big idiot. Will you forgive me?" she
said.

Her voice was tremulous. It still held a sound of tears. She
tried to keep out of his sight as he turned in his chair.

"Don't--don't stare at me!" she said, and slipped coaxing arms that
trembled round his neck, locking her hands tightly in front of him.
"You hurt me a bit--though I don't think you meant to. And now
I've hurt you--quite a lot. I didn't mean it either, partner. So
let's cry quits! I've forgiven you. Will you try to forgive me?"

He sat quite still for a few seconds, and in the silence shyly she
laid her cheek down against the back of his head. He moved then,
and very gently clasped the trembling hands that bound him. But
still he did not speak.

"Say it's all right!" she urged softly. "Say you're not cross
or--or anything!"

"I'm not," said Burke very firmly.

"And don't--don't ever think I want to play with you!" she pursued,
a catch in her voice. "That's not me, partner. I'm sorry I'm so
very unsatisfactory. But--anyhow that's not the reason."

"I know the reason," said Burke quietly.

"You don't," she rejoined instantly. "But never mind that now!
You don't know anything whatever ab