e. That simplifies things for you. By the by, he
is in China, in the Customs."

"Poor dear Philip; with all these horrid riots. I _do_ feel anxious
about him!" sighed naughty Juliet in response; then, suddenly, "I
wonder," she had cried soberly, "if I _ought_! I hate to deceive
people, even for their own good. I wonder if I ought to go on."

"But surely"--he stared at her in amazement--"it's your _profession_!
It would be impossible to do inquiry work if people knew from the
beginning what you were about. Why did you--excuse me--choose such a
profession if your conscience is so tender?"

"I--I didn't realise. It was arranged in a hurry. I don't think I
shall take any more cases."

"No, don't!" Antony cried eagerly. "It's all right this time, for you
have fallen among people who will treat you properly, but it might be so
different. Haven't you a home where you can live safely and
comfortably?"

"Very comfortably indeed, but I happen to be one of the horde of
superfluous women who need something more than comfort."

Antony looked at her curiously at that, but he had asked no questions.
Juliet was thankful for his silence; for the absence of obvious
compliments. The situation would be intolerable with a man of another
type. With Maplestone one had a comfortable feeling of security--a very
comfortable feeling. Juliet fell asleep that night with a smile on her
lips.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

For three days all went well, the Squire approving, his wife motherly,
Antony chivalrous and attentive. Whatever the real experience might be,
Juliet was satisfied that pretending to be engaged was an agreeable
sensation. Morning and afternoon Antony drove her abroad, sat with her
in the rose garden, or escorted her on long walks over the countryside,
and soon, wonderfully soon, there was no further need of coaching
between them, for the lives of each, and the experiences thereof, the
hopes, aspirations, and rebuffs, had been spread as in an opened book
before the eyes of the other, with just one reservation on Juliet's
side, the disclosure of her own identity!

"I have had an adventurous life. The one thing I have not had to
complain of is monotony," said Antony.

"And I have had nothing else. Until recently I have gone on, year after
year, existing, not living, in the same little rut."

"No wonder you broke loose. A girl like you was never made for
stagn