fess how you got the knowledge."

"Oh, dear me, yes," said Ayre, smiling. "When you're opening a blind
man's eyes he doesn't ask after your moral character. You must consider
the situation on the hypothesis that I am shameless."

Kate was not strong enough to carry on the battle. She had fury, but not
doggedness. She burst into tears.

"If I were doing all you say, whose fault was it?" she sobbed. "Didn't
Eugene treat me shamefully?"

"If he flirted a little, it was in part your fault. If you had flirted a
little with Haddington, I should have said nothing. But this--well, this
is a little strong."

"I am a very unhappy girl," said Kate.

"It isn't as if you cared twopence for Eugene, you know."

"No, I hate him!" said Kate, unwisely yielding to anger again.

"I thought so. And you will do what I ask?"

"If I don't, what will you do?"

"I shall write to Eugene. I shall see Haddington; and I shall see your
aunt. I shall tell them all that I know, and how I know it. Come, Miss
Bernard, don't be foolish. You had better take Haddington."

"I know it's all a plot. You're all fighting in that little creature's
interest."

"Meaning--?"

"Claudia Territon. But if I can help it, Eugene shall never marry her."

"That's another point."

"His friend Father Stafford will have to be considered there."

"Do not let us drift into that. Will you write?"

"To whom?"

"To Eugene."

Kate looked at him with a healthy hatred.

"And you will tell Haddington he needn't wait those three months?"

"I suppose you're proud of yourself now!" she broke out. "First
eavesdropping, and then bullying a girl!"

"I'm not at all proud of myself, and I am, if you'd believe it, rather
sorry for you."

"I shall take care to let your friends know my opinion of you."

"Certainly--with any details you think advisable. Have I your promise?
Is it any use struggling any longer? This scene is so very unpleasant."

"Won't you give me a week?"

"Not a day!"

Kate drew herself up with a sort of dignity.

"I despise you and your schemes, and Eugene Lane, and Claudia Territon,
and all your crew!" she allowed herself to say.

"But you promise?"

"Yes, I promise. There! Now, may I go?"

Ayre courteously took off his hat, and stood on one side, holding it in
his hand and bowing slightly as she swept indignantly by him.

"I'll give her a day to tell Haddington, and three days to tell Eugene.
Unless she does, I must go through it all