it to _be_ work! You get
nothing worth having without trouble, so why should you expect an
exception for the very _best_ thing? And the poor man deserves some
encouragement. _I'd give it to him_!"

Joan's lips twisted into a sad smile.

"You understand a great deal, Pixie--more than I do, it seems, even
after seven years! I never looked at things in that light. I just
expected Geoffrey to keep on adoring, whatever I did. What made you
think such things?"

"Nature!" said Pixie promptly. "And, my dear, I'm clever at loving--I
always was. It's my only gift, and I _have_ studied it just as other
people study drawing and music. What you have to do, Esmeralda, is to
forget everything and every one else for a while, and comfort Geoffrey.
Don't make a scene and worry the poor man. Don't make a grand programme
of reformation, for that will put him off at the start. Just begin
to-night and be sweet to him for a change. If you feel temper coming
on, have it out on me! I'm used to you from a child, and if I get too
much of it I can always run away and leave you; Geoffrey can't. It's
mean to take advantage of a man that's bound."

"If he _wanted_ to go," began Joan haughtily, then subsided into tears
and helplessness. "Pixie! Pixie! It's so difficult! What can I do?"

"D'you need _me_ to tell you? Isn't it the _easiest_ thing in the world
to make love to your own husband, in your own house? Talk of
propinquity! Always ready, always handy, if you can't manage _that_!
My dear girl, the game's in your own hands."

"Can a leopard change its spots?"

"We're not talking of leopards; we're talking of women--and they _can_
bridle their tongues!"

Again Joan was silent. _Could she_? A great martyrdom, or heroic
effort, these she would have faced gladly, counting them a small price
to pay for her husband's love; but then how to subdue hasty impulses, to
keep a watch over her tongue--this seemed beyond her strength. And yet
the treasure which was threatened was of such inestimable value. It was
impossible to contemplate life without it. Human life is uncertain, and
though she would not allow herself to dwell upon such a possibility,
Joan had realised in her heart that a day might dawn when she would have
to part from husband or son. Death might come, she might have to say
farewell to the dear human presence, but never, never had she imagined
for a moment that she might be compelled to live on, having bidden