till aflame with ardour as he looked down
at Myra. He, too, was trembling slightly, and a spot of hectic colour
glowed on each cheek-bone.

"Why blame or reproach me, Myra darling?" he said at last, his deep
voice vibrant. "Remember that you tempted me, challenged me. It was
to me that you spoke, and not to Standish, when you said you wanted to
be kissed by the man who loved you, and not by a cold-blooded
Englishman. I promised you that night I would kiss you in the way you
longed to be kissed, in the way I longed to kiss you, and I have
fulfilled my promise--in part. Myra, belovedest, the nectar of your
lips has increased my longing a thousandfold. Tell me, darling, that
my kisses have fired your heart with the love for which I crave,
and----"

"I hate you, hate you, and I shall never forgive you for this!" burst
out Myra passionately, starting to her feet. "Go away at once, and
don't dare to come near me again. How dare you, how dare you kiss me
like that! If I were to tell Tony----"

She broke off with a sharp intake of breath, for at that moment the
butler tapped at the drawing room door and opened it.

"Mr. Standish," he announced; and Tony walked in, as if he were an
actor taking his "cue."

Antony Standish could (but didn't) boast of a 'Varsity education, and
he prided himself on his smartness, but he was far from being "gleg at
the uptak'," as the Scots say, and his powers of observation and
deduction assuredly would not have qualified him for a position as a
Scotland Yard "sleuth." Seemingly he was quite unconscious of the
electrical atmosphere as he entered, and quite failed to notice Myra's
agitation.

"Hullo, Don Carlos! What a surprise!" he cried breezily. "How are
you, old fellow? ... Hello, Myra, my dear. Thought I'd blow in on the
chance of finding you at home this beastly afternoon and cadge a cup of
tea.... Where did you spring from, Don Carlos? Thought you were still
in Spain. Tremendously glad to see you again, old man. When did you
get back? You're looking tremendously fit."

"Thank you," said Don Carlos, forcing a smile as he shook hands. "I
got back to London less than an hour ago, and hastened to call on Miss
Rostrevor to assure her of my undying regard--and to redeem a promise."

He darted a side glance at Myra, who was nervously biting her lips and
trying to compose herself.

"Awfully nice of you, old chap. Glad you're back," drawled the
unobservant Tony. "I sa