pense?"

"That's a paltry obstacle. Oh, if you are too proud, say so, and
there's an end of it. You know me well enough to feel the absolute
truth of what I say, when I assure you that you will remain just as
independent of me as you ever were. I shall be spending my money in a
way that gives me pleasure; the matter will never appear to me in any
other light. Why, call it an additional loan, if it will give any
satisfaction to you. You are to pay me back some time. Here in London
you perish; across the Channel there, health of body and mind is
awaiting you; and are we to talk about money? I shall begin to swear
like a trooper; the thing is too preposterous."

Eve said nothing: she stood half turned from him.

"Of course," he pursued, "you may object to leave London. Perhaps the
sacrifice is too great. In that case, I should only do right if I
carried you off by main force; but I'm afraid it can't be; I must leave
you to perish."

"I am quite willing to go away," said Eve in a low voice. "But the
shame of it--to be supported by you."

"Why, you don't hate me?"

"You know I do not."

"You even have a certain liking for me. I amuse you; you think me an
odd sort of fellow, perhaps with more good than bad in me. At all
events, you can trust me?"

"I can trust you perfectly."

"And it ain't as if I wished you to go alone. Patty will be off her
head with delight when the thing is proposed to her."

"But how can I explain to her?"

"Don't attempt to. Leave her curiosity a good hard nut to crack. Simply
say you are off to Paris, and that if she'll go with you, you will bear
all her expenses."

"It's so difficult to believe that you are in earnest."

"You must somehow bring yourself to believe it. There will be a cheque
ready for you to-morrow morning, to take or refuse. If you take it, you
are bound in honour to leave England not later than--we'll say
Thursday. That you are to be trusted, I believe, just as firmly as you
believe it of me."

"I can't decide to-night."

"I can give you only till to-morrow morning. If I don't hear from you
by midday, I am gone."

"You shall hear from me--one way or the other."

"Then don't wait here any longer. It's after midnight, and Patty will
be alarmed about you. No, we won't shake hands; not that till we strike
a bargain."

Eve seemed about to walk away, but she hesitated and turned again.

"I will do as you wish--I will go."

"Excellent! Then speak of it to Patty