convict. What does she do? She comes somehow--I don't know how--to
Hickney Heath and hears you publicly give yourself away--and she drives
straight here with a message for you. It's for you, the message. Who
else?" She stood before Paul, a flashing Jane unknown. "Would a woman
who didn't love you come to this house to-night? She wouldn't, Paul.
You know it! Dear old Bill here, who hasn't moved in royal circles,
knows it. No, my dear man," she said regally, "I've given you all my
love--everything that is in me--since I was a child of thirteen. You
will always have it. It's my great joy that you'll always have it. But,
by God, Paul, I'm not going to exchange it for anything less. Can you
give me the same?"

"You know I can't," said Paul. "But I can give you that which would
make our marriage a happy one. I believe the experience of the world
has shown it to be the securest basis."

She was on the point of breaking out, but turned away, with clenched
hands, and, controlling herself, faced him again. "You're an honourable
and loyal man, Paul, and you're saying this to save your face. I know
that you would marry me. I know that you would be faithful to me in
thought and word and act. I know that you would be good and kind and
never give me a moment's cause for complaint. But your heart would be
with the other woman. Whether she's out of your sphere or not--what
does it matter to me? You love her and she loves you. I know it. I
should always know it. You'd be living in hell and so should I. I
should prefer to remain in purgatory, which, after all, is quite
bearable--I'm used to it--and I love you enough to wish to see you in
paradise."

She turned away with a wide gesture and an upward inflexion of her
voice. Barney Bill refilled his pipe and fixed Paul with his twinkling
diamond eyes. "It's a pity, sonny--a dodgasted pity!"

"We're up against the Truth, old man, the unashamed and naked truth,"
said Paul, with a sigh.

Jane caught Paul's fur-lined coat and hat from the chair on which he
had thrown it and came to him. "It's time for you to go and rest, dear.
We're all of us exhausted."

She helped him on with the heavy coat, and for farewell put both her
hands on his shoulders. "You must forget a lot of things I've said
to-night."

"I can't help remembering them."

"No, dear. Forget them." She drew his face down and kissed him on the
lips. Then she led him out to the front door and accompanied him down
the steps to