onishing, and this
promised another complication, for he was commencing to realize that
since Winston had gone to Silverdale it would be convenient that
Courthorne as such should cease to exist. He fancied that should any
of the men he was acquainted with happen to come across Winston at
Silverdale--which was, however, most unlikely--they might be deceived
by the resemblance between himself and the farmer; but it was hardly to
be expected that Ailly Blake would fail to be sure of him in any
circumstances and anywhere. He accordingly decided that he must have
an interview with her as soon as possible, and, since he had been in
many tight places before, in the meanwhile went on tranquilly with his
supper.

The meal was over, and the men clustered around the stove when he
gathered up one or two of the plates and laid them ready as the girl
moved along the table. She glanced at him for a moment, with startled
eyes. A spot of crimson showed in her cheek.

"I want a word with you," he said.

Ailly Blake flashed a swift glance round the room, and Courthorne
noticed with a little smile that it was one man in particular her gaze
rested on; but neither Potter nor any of the others seemed to be
observing them at that moment.

"Then open the second door down the corridor in about twenty minutes,"
she said.

She moved away and left him to join the others about the stove, until
the time she mentioned had elapsed, when he sauntered out of the room
and opened the door she had indicated. It led into a little room
apparently used as a household store. Here Ailly Blake was standing,
while a litter of forks, spoons, and nickeled knives showed what her
occupation had been. Courthorne sat down on a table and looked at her
with a little smile, though she stood intent, and quivering a little.

"Well," she said, almost harshly, "what is it you want?"

Courthorne laughed. "Need you ask? Is it astonishing that I was
anxious to see you? I don't think it's necessary to point out that you
are quite as good to look at as ever."

The girl's lips trembled a little, and it was evident that she put a
constraint upon herself.

"You haven't changed either," she said bitterly. "You have still the
smooth tongue and the laugh in your eyes that should warn folks against
it. I listened to it once, and it brought me black shame and sorrow."

"I almost fancy, Ailly, that if I wanted you to very much you would
listen again."

The girl sh