n to-morrow, Kathleen," he began.

Her heart sank at these words, for already his visits had come to assume
an important part in her scheme of life.

"For a long time?" she asked him.

"For six months. Will you come with me?"

"I can't leave Mrs. Quirk," she faltered. "Not yet. Wait until you
return."

"I may never come back," he urged.

"Surely you cannot expect me to come with you, like this, at a moment's
notice?" she pleaded.

He put his arm around her, the first time he had touched her, and she
did not shrink from him.

"You love me, Kathleen. I am sure of it. I cannot wait until I return.
Come with me to Melbourne--now, at once. We shall be married there," he
said, in a low voice.

"But I can't leave Mrs. Quirk like this. It would be so horribly
ungrateful," she protested.

"You must!" His arm was more firmly around her. She had the feeling that
she was in his power, that he was exercising some influence over her,
hitherto unknown to her. "I need you more than she."

"I can't," she answered, more faintly. "Why should we steal away
clandestinely, without telling Mrs. Quirk?"

"Because I am compelled to go, and I cannot go without you. I will take
you to America, and give you a chance of seeing the world. We shall be
happy together, you and I. Come, Kathleen!"

They had strolled back along the avenue, and were not far from the
house.

"Kathleen! Honey!"

Kathleen could hear Mrs. Quirk's voice calling to her from the house.

"I must go inside," she urged.

"No! You must come with me, now, to-night! There is the night express,
and I have a cab waiting for us outside the gate," he answered. There
was mastery in his voice, and she felt that she could not resist.

"Kathleen! Honey!" cried the voice again. Looking up at the window, she
saw Mrs. Quirk framed in the light as she peered out.

"I must go! I will!" she said.

"Come with me," he answered, and began to lead her towards the gate. As
she went the voice became fainter and fainter: her resisting power
weaker.

They were half-way down the avenue when they heard a man's steps, rapid
and firm. A moment later they could see the figure, though indistinctly,
in the shadow. For one moment Gerard hesitated, then with an oath he
sprang behind a thick shrub, leaving her free. Immediately she was
running towards the house, her heart palpitating, her breath coming and
going in gasps. She felt that she must get away from the temptation.

In the draw