th something that resembled it; he read the change in her eyes. As
they walked slowly away she kept nearer to him than of wont; now and
then her arm touched his, and the contact gave him a delicious
sensation. Askance he observed her figure, its graceful, rather
languid, movement; to-night she had a new power over him, and excited
with a passion which made his earlier desires seem spiritless.

"One day more of Paris?" he asked softly.

"Wouldn't it be better----?" she hesitated in the objection.

"Do you wish to break the journey in London?"

"No; let us go straight on."

"To-morrow, then?"

"I don't think we ought to put it off. The holiday is over."

Hilliard nodded with satisfaction. An incident of the street occupied
them for a few minutes, and their serious conversation was only resumed
when they had crossed to the south side of the river, where they turned
eastwards and went along the quays.

"Till I can find something to do," Eve said at length, "I shall live at
Dudley. Father will be very glad to have me there. He wished me to stay
longer."

"I am wondering whether it is really necessary for you to go back to
your drudgery."

"Oh, of course it is," she answered quickly. "I mustn't be idle. That's
the very worst thing for me. And how am I to live?"

"I have still plenty of money," said Hilliard, regarding her.

"No more than you will need."

"But think--how little more it costs for two than for one----"

He spoke in spite of himself, having purposed no such suggestion. Eve
quickened her step.

"No, no, no! You have a struggle before you; you don't know what----"

"And if it would make it easier for me?--there's no real doubt about my
getting on well enough----"

"Everything is doubtful." She spoke in a voice of agitation. "We can't
see a day before us. We have arranged everything very well----"

Hilliard was looking across the river. He walked more and more slowly,
and turned at length to stand by the parapet. His companion remained
apart from him, waiting. But he did not turn towards her again, and she
moved to his side.

"I know how ungrateful I must seem." She spoke without looking at him.
"I have no right to refuse anything after all you----"

"Don't say that," he interrupted impatiently. "That's the one thing I
shall never like to think of."

"I shall think of it always, and be glad to remember it----"

"Come nearer--give me your hand----"

Holding it, he drew her against his sid