considerate," he said, as he obeyed her behest. "It isn't
kind."

"Why not?"

"It makes me fonder--I mean like you ever so much."

When they reached Sloane Street, he remarked:

"Do let me drive you. It's a shame to make you walk. You must be quite
tired out."

"I'll leave you and get a 'bus," she replied.

"And you won't give me your address?"

"No."

Although heavily laden 'buses were constantly passing, she made no
pretence of stopping one; not because she had no money: she had
forgotten for the time being that she was penniless. Her mind was a
welter of emotion. She regretted her sudden tenderness in the matter of
his unbuttoned overcoat; she reproached herself for not leaving him
directly she had got away from Mrs Hamilton's; she knew she would never
forgive him for having insulted her; the fact of his having kissed her
lips seemed in some mysterious way to bind them together; she hated
herself for having denied that she was Mavis Keeves. The many leanings
of her mind struggled for precedence; very soon, concern for the lie
that she had told the man, who it was now evident wished her well,
possessed her to the exclusion of all else. She suffered tortures of
self-reproach, which became all but unendurable.

Windebank, who had been walking between her and the curb, suddenly
moved so that she was on the outside.

"Why did you do that?" she asked.

"The wind. Little Mavis might take cold."

She could bear it no longer.

"Stop!" she cried.

He looked at her in surprise.

"I've something to tell you. I can't go on like this."

"What is it?" he asked, all concern.

"When you know, you'll never forgive me. I lied to you."

"Lied?"

"Yes, lied, lied, lied. But I can't let it go on. I hate myself for
doing it. Why was I so wicked?"

"Give it up."

"My name. I told you a lie about it."

"Is that all?"

"Isn't that enough? I am Mavis Keeves. I am--"

"What?" he interrupted.

"I didn't like to confess it before. Don't, please don't think very
badly of me."

"YOU--little Mavis after all?"

"Yes," she answered softly.

"What wonderful, wonderful luck! I can't believe it even now. You
little Mavis! How did it all come about?"

"It's simple enough."

"Simple!" He laughed excitedly. "You call it simple?"

"Let me tell you. I was very miserable to-day and I prayed and--and--"

She could say no more; her overcharged feelings were such that they got
the better of her self-control. Careless