sed rage. Then he could
deal with her as he liked. He had not earned his repute in the city
of London without revealing at times the innate savagery of his
nature. As soon as he had taunted his adversaries into a passion,
he found the weak joints in their armor. He was surprised now that
Millicent should laugh. If she was acting, she was acting well.

"It is too funny for words to see you playing the trustful swain," she
said.

"One necessarily believes the best of one's future wife."

"So you still keep up that pretense? It was a good line in last
night's situation; but it becomes farcical when applied to light
comedy."

"I give you credit for sufficient wit to understand why I joined you
here. We can avoid unpleasant explanations. I am prepared to bury the
hatchet--on terms."

"Terms?"

"Yes. You are a blackmailer, a somewhat dangerous one. You tempt me to
revise the wisest of La Rochefoucauld's maxims, and say that every
woman is at heart a snake. You owe everything to me; yet you are not
content. Without my help you would still be carrying a banner in the
chorus. Unless I continue my patronage, that is what you must go back
to. Don't imagine that I am treating with you out of sentiment. For
Helen's sake, for her sake only, I offer a settlement."

Millicent's eyes narrowed a little; but she affected to admire the
gleaming beads in a glass of champagne. "Pray continue," she said.
"Your views are interesting."

There was some danger lest Bower should reverse his wonted procedure,
and lose his own temper in this unequal duel. They both spoke in low
tones. Anyone watching them would find the smiles of conventionality
on their lips. To all outward seeming, they were indulging in a
friendly gossip.

"Of course, you want money," he said. "That is the be-all and
end-all of your existence. Very well. Write a letter to Miss Wynton
apologizing for your conduct, take yourself away from here at three
o'clock, and from St. Moritz by the next train, and I not only
withdraw my threat to bar you in the profession but shall hand you
a check for a thousand pounds."

Millicent pretended to consider his proposal. She shook her head. "Not
nearly enough," she said, with a sweetly deprecatory moue.

"It is all you will get. I repeat that I am doing this to spare
Helen's feelings. Perhaps I am ill advised. You have done your worst
already, and it only remains for me to crush you. But I stick to the
bargain--for five minutes."