s very cautious all the Friday evening, and made himself
as irresistible as he could, using all his clever wits to flatter and
cajole Cecilia, and leaving not a trifle unconsidered which could
interfere with his plans.

They were simple enough.

He claimed to have discovered a quite new and quite charming spot on the
Lido, which he was most anxious to take Mrs. Cricklander to see
alone--he put a stress upon the word _alone_, and looked into her eyes.
They would go quite early and be back before tea, as John Derringham had
timed himself to arrive upon the mainland about seven o'clock, and would
be at the Daniellis, where they were all staying, for dinner.

Mrs. Cricklander felt she must have one more delightful afternoon, and,
as this excursion might contain a spice of adventure, it thrilled her
blood. She had been exquisitely discreet--in public--forcing Arabella
always to talk to Mr. Hanbury-Green, and devoting herself to Lady
Maulevrier, or any other lady or old gentleman who happened to be
present. And then she felt free to spend long hours alone with Mr.
Hanbury-Green in her sitting-room, whose balcony hung over the beautiful
canal. No one could say a word--Arabella's discretion could always be
counted upon; and pleasure was secured.

She looked, perhaps, more beautiful than she had ever done in her life
as they started. Mr. Hanbury-Green had hired a special gondola, not the
one they were accustomed to float about in,--and off they went. Where
was the harm, in broad daylight! and with Arabella to accompany them--as
far as the last steps, and then to be dropped? Cecilia felt like a
school-girl on a forbidden treat.

When they were well out of sight of all observation, Mr. Hanbury-Green
began. He told her that he loved her, in all the most impressive
language he was master of; he felt that with her he might with safety
and success use the same flamboyant metaphors and exaggerations with
which he was accustomed to move his constituents. No restraint or
attention to accuracy was necessary here. And if his voice in his honest
excitement would have sounded a little cockney in Arabella's cultured
ears, Cecilia Cricklander did not notice it. On the contrary, she
thought the whole thing was the finest-sounding harangue she had ever
heard in her life.

He went on to say that he could not live without her, and implored her
to throw over John Derringham and promise to be his wife.

"He thinks you are madly in love with