ng to say to me."

Two pudgy little children suddenly deserted their attendant and rushed
at Lady Mary. While she was returning their embraces, Jacob stood
transfixed. So did the attendant.

"Miss Bultiwell!" he gasped.

"Jacob Pratt!"

Lady Mary looked up.

"So you two know one another?"

"Young lady I was just telling you about," Jacob confided.

Lady Mary held out a hand to each of her small nieces.

"May I have the children for a few minutes, Miss Bultiwell, please?"
she begged. "You come along with Mr. Pratt."

Sybil's response was scarcely gracious. She accepted the situation,
however, and walked slowly by Jacob's side.

"I'm very glad to see you, Miss Bultiwell," he ventured.

"Sorry I can't say the same," she replied.

"Is there any reason," he asked desperately, "why you shouldn't treat
me like an ordinary human being?"

"There is."

"What is it?"

"You know."

"I'm damned if I do!"

She glanced at him without any sign of offence.

"What are you doing walking with Lady Mary in Kensington Gardens at
this time of the morning?" she enquired.

"Her mother's idea," Jacob explained. "Nothing to do with us."

She regarded him thoughtfully.

"I suppose you're to marry Lady Mary and redeem the family fortunes!"

"The idea doesn't appeal to either of us," he assured her. "Lady Mary
has just confided to me that she is in love with some one else, and I
have made a similar confession to her."

"Are you in love with some one else?"

"Yes!"

"Who? Me?"

"Yes!"

"Is there any sense," she demanded, "in being in love with a person
who, as you perfectly well know, thoroughly dislikes and detests you?"

"There's no sense in love at all," Jacob groaned.

"If we must talk," Sybil suggested, quickening her pace a little, "let
us talk of something else. How are you enjoying your millions?"

"Not at all."

"Why not?"

"I'm lonely."

"Poor man!" she scoffed.

Lady Mary rejoined them.

"Well, I must go," she announced. "Take me to the gates, won't you,
Mr. Pratt? Good-by, Miss Bultiwell. How these children have improved
since you had the charge of them."

"Au revoir, Miss Bultiwell," Jacob ventured.

She leaned towards him as he turned to follow Lady Mary.

"If you come back," she whispered threateningly, "it will cost me my
situation and I will never speak to you again."

"I won't come," he promised sadly.

"She's a charming girl," Lady Mary said. "Why won't she have you?"

"It's