in which he had flung
her, presently he would come to her and ask her if he had been too
brutal. She traded on his tenderness to women, his horror of
inflicting pain.

She lay motionless, the blue sky above her, the yellow sands stretching
to the far-off horizon. She had tempted him willingly, deliberately.
Something had compelled her to test her power. Her annoyance at his
apparent indifference to her presence had become too poignant to hide
any longer. Anger was exhausting her nerves. She was conscious that
she had burnt her boats, that her tactics were at fault.

Michael did not look at her. He was conscious of nothing in the world
but an unbearable contempt for his own manhood. Why had he not driven
her away long before this? Why had he silently acquiesced to her
companionship?

Despising her as he did, why was she able to lower him in his own eyes?
Why did he tolerate her? Why had she any qualities which appealed to
him? Why, oh why was she just what she was? He hated her at the
moment, but he hated himself still more. When they got back to the
camp he would tell Hassan that their ways must lie apart. And now, at
this very instant, he would go and tell her that she must leave; he
must have it out with her.

He went to her and stooped over her. "Millicent," he said, "I want to
speak to you."

"Yes, Mike."

"Get up and look at me. I want you to listen."

Still Millicent lay perfectly motionless. "I am listening."

He knelt down beside her. "Have I hurt you?"

A little groan was all her answer. Michael turned her face to his.
His hands were on her shoulders. She winced.

"Have I hurt you? I am sorry. I was too rough."

Millicent raised herself to her knees. Her face was tense, agonized.
She put her hands up to her head and held it.

Michael thought he heard a sob. Shame or pain convulsed her body; she
rocked herself backwards and forwards.

"I am sorry I was so brutal," he said. "But you deserved it. I had to
do it. I always have to be unkind--you are so foolish."

Still Millicent wept. She removed her hands and gazed at him with wet,
mournful eyes. Michael put his arm round her and tried to raise her.

"You were very naughty--why were you so naughty?"

One of his arms was supporting her as she struggled to her feet. The
next instant Millicent swung herself nimbly round and flung herself on
his breast. He was helpless. Her hands were clasped behind his head.

"You