t so?"

He gave a forced laugh.

"Good God, what makes you think that? If you do think it."

"It's the way you look. You are not thinking of me one little bit.
Arthur, if for one moment I thought you no longer cared for me..."

"What on earth are you taking about?" he retorted with a touch of
irritation. "Why are you for ever harping on that theme? Naturally I
care for you."

"Ah, but you torment me so! If I could only be sure, only for one
little minute! How do I know it is me you want, and not what you will
get with me?"

She spoke with a certain fierceness. He looked at her silently, then
with a shrug of his shoulders turned away, moving towards the door.

"Where are you going?" she demanded quickly.

"What difference does it make to you where I go? Since that's the
opinion you have of me, South America isn't a bad idea. The sooner the
better."

"No, no, Arthur, come back; you don't understand..."

"Oh, I understand all right. You don't trust me; after a year and a
half that's all you think of me. It doesn't matter, it's better not to
see me again."

His hand was on the knob.

"Don't say such a stupid thing, Arthur! Come here."

"Why should I come? You don't want me really."

"Arthur, you know I want you--always."

Without replying, he opened the door and stepped outside. He was
really going, his foot sounded on the flags. With a smothered cry she
reached his side, clutched at him, half sobbing, drawing him back with
all her strength. He resisted stonily.

"Don't make a scene, Therese, someone will hear you."

"Then come back. If you don't, I don't mind what happens, or who
hears!"

Sulkily he took a step inside the door, then raised his head,
listening. A car had come into the drive, was crunching around the
gravel to the garage on the far side of the house.

"S'sh--it's Roger. Close the door quietly."

With a quick movement, Therese switched off the lamp.

"Damned silly, that," he whispered. "Why did you do that?"

"No, it is best. Wait--they will soon go upstairs."

They stood silent, listening. After a few moments they heard the front
door close, then footsteps mounting the stairs, after which no sound
whatever. Five minutes went by, while Therese pressed tightly against
the unresponsive young man, clinging to his hand. At the end of that
time he drew away from her.

"Now I'll slip out."

"No, not yet. I sha'n't let you!"

She sank down on the chaise-lon