at once. After a moment:

"And the--er--husband!" he submitted dryly. "You've--you've seen him,
of course."

"No, I haven't. If I did--if I did, I'd break every bone in his
infernal carcase," said Jimmy Challoner, between his teeth.

He stared down at his friend with defiant, eyes as he spoke.

Sangster said "Humph!" again. Then: "Well, there's as good fish in the
sea as any that were caught," he said cheerily. "Look at it
philosophically, old son."

Jimmy kicked a footstool out of his way. He walked over to the window,
and stood for a moment with his back turned. Presently:

"If anyone asks you, you might as well tell them the truth," he said
jerkily. "I--don't let them think that brute Mortlake----"

He broke off.

"I'll tell 'em the truth," said Sangster.

He leaned over the fire, poking it vigorously.

"What are you doing to-night, Jimmy?" he asked, "I'm at a loose end----"

Jimmy turned.

"I'm taking some people to the theatre--old friends! Met them quite by
chance the other night. Haven't you heard me speak of them--the
Wyatts?"

"By Jove, yes!" Sangster dropped the poker unceremoniously. "People
from Upton House. You used to be full of them when I first knew you,
and that's how many years ago, Jimmy?"

"The Lord only knows!" said Jimmy dispiritedly. "Well, I've got a box
for a show to-night, and asked them to come. Christine's dead nuts on
theatres. Remember Christine?"

"I remember the name. Old sweetheart of yours, wasn't she?"

"When we were kids."

"Oh, like that, is it? Well, ask me to come along too."

"My dear fellow--come by all means."

Jimmy was rather pleased at the suggestion. "You'll like Mrs.
Wyatt--she's one of the best."

"And--Christine?"

"Oh she's all right; but she's only a child still," said Jimmy
Challoner with all the lordly superiority of half a dozen years.

CHAPTER V

SANGSTER TAKES A HAND

"And so you and Jimmy were children together," said Arthur Sangster.

The curtain had just fallen on the first act, and the lights turned up
suddenly in the theatre had revealed Christine's face to him a little
flushed and dreamy.

Sangster looked at her smilingly. Jimmy had called her a child; but he
had not said how sweet a child she was, he thought, as his eyes rested
on her dainty profile and parted lips.

She seemed to wake from dreaming at the sound of his voice. She gave a
little sigh, and leaned back in her chair.

"Yes," she sa