et her radiant, answering smile.

"Oh, my, no, we're friends right enough! If you haven't to live with
people all the time, it's easy enough to avoid the rubs. I guess we can
agree to differ for the few times we're likely to meet." ... She buried
her face in her hand, to suppress a yawn. "Those steps have just about
finished me! I'm all used up. Don't you want to give me some tea? I
noticed one of those Fuller stores in the Strand as we came along.
Let's go right back and have a rest!"

Guest led the way downwards, feeling but indifferently consoled. An
uncomfortable depression weighed on him as he walked through the
streets, and sat with Cornelia in a corner of the tea-shop. It was the
first meal of which he had partaken in her company, and it gave a
feeling of intimacy to face each other across the daintily-spread table,
to watch her pour out tea with the pretty white hands on which the
diamond solitaire twinkled meaningly. She seemed really tired, and for
once was content to be silent while she drank boiling tea and munched
rich cakes, with supreme disregard of digestion. As for Guest, two
phrases rang in his ears, to the exclusion of other thoughts--"The few
times we are likely to meet"--"We might be a honeymoon couple..." Two
suggestions, far apart as the poles, yet each bringing within it a
thrill of something like fear. He did not wish to find himself in the
position of bridegroom to this Yankee stranger; the thought was absurd,
nevertheless it was distinctly unpleasant to picture anyone else
occupying the position! It was worse than unpleasant, it was actually
painful to think that the newly-formed friendship might be interrupted
by a separation of three thousand miles! He sat, staring at his
companion with the intensity which accompanies a preoccupied mind, until
presently Cornelia began to arch her eyebrows, purse up her lips, and
crane her head from side to side.

"I beg your pardon! If I was to get up and stand on that bench, do you
think it would aid your scrutiny? What's the verdict, please? It's the
least you can do to tell me, after quizzing all this time! ... What do
you think of my looks? Honestly, mind, without any bunkum! I'm crazy
to know."

"I think--sometimes--you are beautiful!"

"Seriously? You mean it?"

"I do!"

The golden eyes met his with a flash of delight, and an arm was
stretched impetuously across the table. "Shake hands! You're just the
nicest thing! To