g to her sobbing and crying. They did not want to go, they
yelled; they even kicked at Forrester when he picked them up one under
each arm and carried them down to the waiting taxi.

He was annoyed with Faith for being the cause of such a scene. He went
back to her when they had driven off, frowning heavily.

Faith was sobbing and looking out of the window in the direction in
which the twins had disappeared--carried off by main force, so it seemed
to her. She turned round and looked at her husband with flaming eyes.

"I'll never forgive you for this," she said. "It will break their
hearts, poor darlings!"

"Nonsense!" he answered calmly. "Before they get into the next street
they'll be perfectly happy. Mrs. Shawyer has a box of chocolates for
them, and I never knew chocolates fail to dry their tears yet."

He smoothed his hair, which had got rather ruffled by the twins'
struggles to escape him.

"Thank goodness that's over," he said with a short laugh. "Now I can
look after you; I've arranged that we shall go to the flat this evening
and dine there. There will be no need to come back to this house again."

The tone of his voice added, "Thank God," and Faith flushed sensitively.

"This house is good enough for me," she said quickly. "And I am not
going to your flat."

He laughed.

"Silly child. I thought you liked it so much."

"I thought I did--then. I've changed my mind." She tried to pass him.
"Please let me go; I want to speak to Peg."

The Beggar Man stood immovable.

"Peg is not in the house," he said quietly. "She is not coming back any
more."

The colour drained from the girl's face; even her lips looked white, and
the Beggar Man went on hurriedly and rather pathetically:

"It makes me terribly unhappy to see you like this. I had hoped such
great things ... I was a fool, I suppose. Faith, have you forgotten
those first days when we knew each other? You were happy enough
then...."

She turned her face away obstinately.

"I did not know who you were then."

The Beggar Man shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, we won't argue about it. How soon can you be ready? Miss Fraser
has packed all the things it will be necessary for you to take. I will
send for a taxi if you will put on your hat and coat."

"I am not going; I am going to stay here."

He walked out of the room without a word, returning almost at once with
her hat and coat. He laid them down beside her on the table.

"Put them on," he said