sked here because I am very rich and because the Marquis is
interested in money-making schemes. Do you like being a nursery
governess?"

"I hate it!"

"Worse than giving dancing lessons?"

"You needn't rub it in. That was just an unfortunate episode."

"Unfortunate, you call it?"

"Unfortunate," she repeated, "for if those two men had been half as
clever as I thought they were, they wouldn't have bungled the matter,
and I should have been able to make a real start in life."

"With my money?"

"Yes, but not given by you. Taken from you!"

"Miss Bultiwell," Jacob asked wistfully, "are you never going to get
rid of this ridiculous prejudice against me?"

"Never!"

"You know--that I admire you more than any one else in the world?"

"I am glad to hear it, if it makes you uncomfortable."

"It makes me unhappy."

"Then I'm glad you find me attractive," she declared. "I only wish I
had really beautiful clothes and were far better looking. Then you
might suffer more."

"Some day," he said, drawing nearer to her, "you will try me too
high."

She laughed scornfully.

"Are you trying to threaten me?"

He came nearer still. His hand rested against the wall, within a few
inches of her. Her lips were a little parted, but her eyes flashed.

"What do you mean?" she demanded. "How dare you come so near to me!"

His eyes met hers steadily.

"I am going to propose," he told her. "I can't from the other side of
the balcony."

"Propose!" she repeated contemptuously.

"Will you marry me please, Sybil?" he asked.

"Will I--"

"I think you will some day," he went on. "It would make things simpler
if you'd say 'yes' now."

She was speechless. For the first time Jacob felt that he had scored.
Perhaps it was not altogether to his disadvantage that at that moment
a footman stepped out on to the balcony with a small package for him.
Sybil slipped away and Jacob followed her into the room. Lady Mary
looked up from the piano.

"One more song, Miss Bultiwell?" she suggested.

"If you will excuse me," Sybil replied, "I must go home now."

"Must you?" Lady Mary murmured, "Mr. Pratt will see you across the
Square."

"Quite unnecessary, thank you," was the curt rejoinder.

"Besides, we rather want Mr. Pratt," the Marquis, who had just made
his appearance, intervened. "James can step across with Miss
Bultiwell."

Sybil moved quickly towards the door.

"Please don't let any one stir," she begged. "It is barely a h