Cuthbert shrugged his shoulders. He had said what was necessary and,
unwilling to speak further, prepared to go. Maraquito saw him slipping
from her grasp. Once gone, she knew he would never come back. With a
cry of despair she stretched out her hands. "Cuthbert, do not leave
me!" she cried in anguish.

"I must leave you. I was foolish to come. But you know now, that if
you move in this matter I can move too. I doubt very much, madam, if
your past life will bear looking into."

"You coward!" she moaned.

"I know I am a coward," said Mallow uncomfortably; "it is not my way to
threaten a woman--I said that before. But I love Juliet so much that
at any cost I must protect her."

"And my love counts for nothing."

"I am sorry, Maraquito, but I cannot respond. A man's heart is not his
own to give."

"Nor a woman's," she moaned bitterly; "oh, heaven, how I suffer. Help!"

Cuthbert heard footsteps ascending the stairs--the light footsteps of a
hasty man. But Maraquito's head had fallen back, her face was as white
as snow and her mouth was twisted in an expression of anguish. She
seemed to be on the point of death, and moved by her pain--for she
really appeared to be suffering, he sprang forward to catch her in his
arms. Had he not done so she would have fallen from the sofa. But
hardly had he seized her form when she flung her arms round his neck
and pressed her mouth to his. Then she threw back her head, not now
white, but flushed with color and triumph. "I have you now," she said
breathlessly. "I love you--I love you--I will not let you go!"

What Cuthbert would have done it is hard to say. Apparently Maraquito
was determined to hold him there. But at this moment Jennings appeared
at the door. On seeing him arrive so unexpectedly, Maraquito uttered a
cry of rage and dismay, and released Mallow. "Send him away--send him
away!" she cried, pointing to Jennings, who looked cold and stern.
"How dare he come here."

"I come on an unpleasant errand," said Jennings, stepping forward. "I
want you, Mallow!"

Cuthbert, who had moved forward, stopped. "Why do you want me?"

Jennings placed his hand on the young man's shoulder. "I arrest you on
the charge of murdering Selina Loach!"

Maraquito uttered a shriek, and Cuthbert's face grew red. The latter
spoke first. "Is this a jest?" he asked harshly.

"You will not find it so."

"Let me pass. I refuse to allow you to arrest me."

Jennings stil