tle finger," he interrupted grimly.

"Why shouldn't I, just to punish you?" she demanded. "There are scores
of men who fancy themselves in love with me. If I choose, I can keep
them all their lives hanging to the hem of my skirt, praying for a word,
a touch. I can make them furious one day and penitent the next--wretched
always, perhaps, but I can keep them there. Why should I not treat your
brother in the same way?"

He seemed suddenly to dilate. She was overcome with a sense of some
latent power in the man, some commanding influence.

"Because," he declared, "I am the guardian of my brother's happiness.
Whoever trifles with it shall in the future reckon with me!"

His eyes were fixed upon her soft, white throat. His long, lean fingers
seemed suddenly to be drawing near to her. She watched him, fascinated.
She was trying to scream. Even after he had turned away and left her,
after she had heard his measured tramp descending the stairs, her
fingers flew to her throat. She held herself tightly, standing there
with beating heart and throbbing pulses. It was not until the front door
had closed that she had the strength to move, to throw herself face
downward upon the couch.

XXVIII

Louise ate a very small luncheon, but--an unusual thing for her--she
drank two glasses of wine. Just as she had finished, Sophy came in, with
ink-stained fingers and a serious expression.

"You silly child!" Louise exclaimed. "No one told me you were here. Have
you had any lunch?"

"Long ago," Sophy replied. "I have been finishing your accounts."

Louise made a little grimace.

"Tell me the worst," she begged.

"You are overdrawn at your bank, your bills are heavier than ever this
month, and there are five or six special accounts--one for some electric
fittings, another for the hire of a motor-car--which ought to be paid."

"People are always wanting money!" Louise declared pettishly.

"People always will want money," Sophy retorted, "so long as you earn
three thousand a year and spend four or five thousand!"

Louise selected a cigarette and lit it.

"Instead of scolding me, child," she yawned, "suppose you suggest
something?"

"What is there to suggest?" Sophy replied. "Your bank has written you to
put your overdraft straight at once--it comes to about two hundred and
seventy pounds. There are bills, for which the people are asking for
payment, and which come to about as much again. Y