e could scarcely bring herself to
speak. Even her lips were white. Franks did not sit; he came a step
nearer.

"I have exactly ten minutes," he said; "this is a purely business
arrangement. Is it to be 'yes' or 'no?'"

"If you will faithfully assure me that--" began Florence, and then she
stopped and wetted her lips. Her mouth was so dry she could scarcely
proceed.

Franks gave an impatient start. He took out his watch and glanced at it.

"Yes," he said, "I am awfully sorry; if it is no, it won't be necessary
to keep me now."

"I must speak; you cannot hurry me."

"Oh, all right; take your own time," said Franks. His face beamed all
over for a moment. He looked at the girl with a certain covetousness.
After all, there was something about her which might develop into
strength and even beauty. She had been pretty last night. She would
assuredly be his stepping-stone to great fame. He was a very clever man
himself, but he was not a genius. With Florence, with their two forces
combined, might they not rise to any position?

"Yes, my dear, yes?" he said. "Sit down, Florence, sit down."

She shivered when he called her by her Christian name, but she did drop
into a chair. He drew his own close to hers.

"Yes, Florence," he said, "what is it? You are about to make conditions.
If they lead to 'yes' I will fulfil them."

"I only want to ask you to repeat something which you said last night."

"What is that?"

"Can you assuredly tell me that you are only marrying me just because
you think that you and I together can be famous?"

"You would not like me to say that sort of thing, would you?"

"On the contrary, if I firmly know, firmly and truly from your own lips,
that you do _not_ love me, that there is no love in the matter, that it
is a mere business arrangement----"

"Well, what?"

"It would be, I think, _possible_."

"Then that means 'yes.' I like you very much. I hope a day may come when
I shall love you."

"I want it clearly to be understood," said Florence, "that I do not wish
for that day. I don't love you at all, and I don't want you to love me;
but if we can, as you say, work in harness, perhaps it would be best.
Anyhow, I----"

"You say 'yes,' my dear girl; that is all I need. We can talk over those
curious ideas of yours later on. You are engaged to me, Florence--come."

He went quickly up to her, put his arm round her waist, drew her close
to him, and kissed her on the forehead.

"I am not