"Listen to me," she said. "I have nothing whatever to do with you and
Lucille. I suppose you will get your revenge on Souspennier through her.
It won't be like you if you don't try, and you ought to have the game
pretty well in your own hands. But I won't have Souspennier harmed. You
understand?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Souspennier," he said, "must take care. If he oversteps the bounds he
must pay the penalty."

She leaned forward. There was a look in her face which he knew very
well.

"You and I understand one another," she said coolly. "If you want me for
an enemy you can have me. Very likely I shall tell you before long that
you can do what you like with the man. But until I do it will be very
dangerous for you if harm comes to him."

"It is no use," he answered doggedly. "If he attacks he must be
silenced."

"If he attacks," she answered, "you must give me twenty-four hours clear
notice before you move a hand against him. Afterwards--well, we will
discuss that."

"You had better," he said, looking at her with an ugly gleam in his
eyes, "persuade him to take you for a little tour on the Continent. It
would be safer."

"If he would come," she said coolly, "I would go to-morrow. But he
won't--just yet. Never mind. You have heard what I wanted to say. Now
shall we go? I am going to get some sleep this afternoon. Everybody
tells me that I look like a ghost."

"Why not come to Grosvenor Square with me?" he leaning a little across
the table. "Patoff shall make you some Russian tea, and afterwards you
shall sleep as long as you like."

"How idyllic!" she answered, with a faint sarcastic smile. "It goes
to my heart to decline so charming an invitation. But, to tell you the
truth, it would bore me excessively."

He muttered something under his breath which startled the waiter at
his elbow. Then he followed her out of the room. She paused for a few
moments in the portico to finish buttoning her gloves.

"Many thanks for my lunch," she said, nodding to him carelessly. "I'm
sure I've been a delightful companion."

"You have been a very tormenting one," he answered gloomily as he
followed her out on to the pavement.

"You should try Lucille," she suggested maliciously.

He stood by her side while they waited for her carriage, and looked
at her critically. Her slim, elegant figure had never seemed more
attractive to him. Even the insolence of her tone and manner had an odd
sort of fascination. He tried