ack at me!"

Evan grinned. "You're so frank, Corinna. But after all, being on the
side of the law gives me an advantage now, doesn't it?"

"Yes, if you want to take the pay of a scoundrel like Deaves."

"Oh, I was fired some days ago. I'm working on my own now."

"You're just angry and jealous!"

"I dare say. I admit I don't mind your blackmailing operations half as
much as the other thing."

"What other thing?"

"Those fellows on the _Ernestina_; to take advantage of their wanting
you, and use them for your own ends."

"Everything was understood between us. Everything was open and
aboveboard."

"Of course. But they were already enslaved, you see. And you forced
them to serve your pride and arrogance. You queened it over them.
That makes me more indignant than blackmailing a usurer, for the other
thing's a crime against a man's best feelings, and I'm a man myself."

"You're only jealous!"

"Why should I be. _I_ wouldn't stand for the brotherhood. I know you
gave me--or I took--more than you ever gave them."

"You're a brute!"

"Why sure!"

There was a silence. Corinna kept her eyes down. It was impossible to
say of what she was thinking. But her passion of anger visibly
subsided. She murmured at last:

"If, as you say, you sympathise with me for getting money out of Simeon
Deaves----"

"I didn't quite say that," interrupted Evan. "But it's near enough, go
on!"

"Why do you want to hand me over to the police?"

It was fun to torment Corinna, and it satisfied his deep need for
vengeance. But the sight of her quiet, with the curved lashes lying on
her cheeks, and the soft lips drooping, went to his breast like a
knife. Vengeance was suddenly appeased. Such a gallant little crook!
He realised that not for a moment had he really intended to hand her
over. He jumped up.

"I'm not going to send you to jail," he said. "You're going to make
restitution."

Corinna stared.

"What do you mean?"

"Give me an order on Dordess for the bonds--if it is Dordess who has
them, and give me your word that you will lead an honest life
hereafter." He was smiling.

Corinna blazed up afresh. "Never!" she cried. "I'd die rather!"

"You _must_ do it!"

"Why must I?"

"Because you're going to marry me, and naturally I want an honest woman
to wife."

Corinna laughed a peal. "I'd die rather! And you know it now!"

Indeed in his heart he was not at all sure but that her Satanic pride
mi