already Carrissima regretted should have passed her own, cooler
judgment began to return. In her wrath she had felt prepared to think
anything that was vile of both Mark and Bridget; but only for the
moment. Already she repented that she had opened her heart to Sybil.

"Oh, I don't want to go too far," she exclaimed. "Of course there must
be some explanation! You quite understand, Sybil! You are not to
repeat a single word which I have said to any one."

"My dear, I ought to tell Jimmy before it's too late. I am sure only
one conclusion is possible.

"Jimmy ought to be able to look after himself," urged Carrissima.

"Ah, there are very few men who can do that where a pretty woman is
concerned," said Sybil.

"Anyhow," returned Carrissima, "I shall not let you go until you have
given me your solemn promise. You are not to breathe a word--not a
syllable."

"Of course if you insist----"

"I do," said Carrissima. "I was idiotic to speak about the odious
thing. You promise you will never repeat a word to any living being!"

"Very well, my dear," was the docile answer, and then Carrissima
breathed more freely.

CHAPTER XVIII

HOW IT HAPPENED

Mark Driver, on returning from the carpet-purchasing expedition, spent
the evening alone in his Weymouth Street rooms. He had not the least
intention to go near Golfney Place the following day, and every word he
had spoken during the walk home with Carrissima was precisely true.

He believed he could never live happily without her! As he sat smoking
his pipe that night, he smiled to remember Carrissima at the numerous
warehouses she had visited, and his thoughts wandered back over the
many years of their friendship.

Fortunate is the man who may count upon one sympathetic listener, too
deeply interested in his most ordinary experiences for boredom;
prepared to take his side (with or without justification) against the
world. So it had always been with Carrissima. Of any scheme, any
opinion, any ambition of his, she invariably tended to think the best.
If ever he accomplished anything more meritorious than usual, she was
always the first to be told; and when he happened to make a mistake,
she would be certain to make light of it.

At nine o'clock on Tuesday morning Mark had an appointment round the
corner in Beaumont Street. Mr. Randolph Messeter had a serious
operation to perform at a nursing home, and Mark was to administer the
anaesthetic. All had