gave a little sigh and faded out of his clasp: he tried to
seize her but she was gone, leaving only the scent of bruised
petals and the memory of a silken contact. "You're so--so
stormy," the gossamer voice mocked him with its magic of youth
and gaiety. "Val says--"

"Isabel, I'm sick of that formula. You're going to marry me, not
Val."

"--You're not one-third English."

"I've lived in countries where they knew how to manage women,"
Lawrence muttered.

"With a whip?"

"No."

"What a pity!"

"No, the other method is more effective."

"You terrify me," her eyes were sparkling now like a diamond.
"Don't fling any more of those dark threats at me or I shall
never marry you at all. Some day you'll be madly jealous of me like
Major Clowes--you are like him: you could be just as brutal: and I'm
not like Laura--and you'll lure me out of England and wreak a
mysterious vengeance."

"I wish we were out of England now."

"So do I. Oh Lawrence, I'd sell my soul to go to Egypt!"

"Red-hot days and blue sands in the moonlight. Shall I take you
there for our honeymoon?"

"Or Spain: or Sicily: or what about Majorea?-- Let's slip off
alone in a nom de plume and an aeroplane to some place where no
one ever goes, all roses and lemon thyme and honey-coloured
cliffs and a bay of blue sea--"

"Should you like to be alone with me?"

"Yes ... why not?"

"Good!" said Hyde laughing. "I see no reason if you don't." He
put his hand before his eyes, which were throbbing as though he
had looked too long at a bright light. But Isabel pulled down
his wrist. "Don't do that. I like to watch your eyes. I allow
no reserves, Lawrence. And isn't it rather too late to lock the
door? I've seen you--"

"Isabel!" He freed himself and stood up. "I beg your pardon, but
you must not-- I can't stand--" His face was burning. Isabel had
not realized--it is difficult for a young girl to realize,
convinced of her own insignificance--how deeply his pride had
been cut overnight, but she was under no delusion now. He was
hot with shame and anger, and had to wait to fight them down
before he could go on. "Nineteen are you--or nine? I can't
play with you today. Make allowance for me, dearest! I'm in a
most difficult position. I've done incalculable mischief, and,
to tell you the truth, I shouldn't have chosen to raise this
subject again till I'm clear of it. Your people may very fairly
object. My cousin is threatening a divor