tell me!"

She felt his arm grow rigid under her fingers. And then with a
suddenness that electrified her he moved, caught her by the wrists
and drew her to him, locking her close.

"You witch!" he said. "You--enchantress! How shall I resist you?"

She uttered a startled gasp; there was no time for more ere his
lips met hers in a kiss so burning, so compelling, that it reft
from her all power of resistance. One glimpse she had of his eyes,
and it was as if she looked into the deep, deep heart of the fire
unquenchable.

She wanted to cry out, so terrible was the sight, but his lips
sealed her own. She lay helpless in his hold.

Afterwards she realized that she must have been near to fainting,
for when at the end of those wild moments of passion he let her go,
her knees gave way beneath her and she could not stand. Yet
instinctively she gripped her courage with both hands. He had
startled her, appalled her even, but there was a fighting strain in
Sylvia, and she flung dismay away. She held his arm in a quivering
grasp. She smiled a quivering smile. And these were the bravest
acts she had ever forced herself to perform.

"You've done it now, partner!" she said shakily. "I'm
nearly--squeezed--to death!"

"Sylvia!" he said.

Amazement, contrition, and even a curious dash of awe, were in his
voice. He put his arm about her, supporting her.

She leaned against him, panting, her face downcast. "It's--all
right," she told him. "I told you you might sometimes, didn't I?
Only--you--were a little sudden, and I wasn't prepared. I believe
you've been having a rotten time. Sit down now, and have something
to eat!"

But he did not move though there was no longer violence in his
hold. He spoke deeply, above her bent head. "I can't stand this
farce much longer. I'm only human after all, and there is a limit
to everything. I can't keep at arm's length for ever. Flesh and
blood won't bear it."

She did not lift her head, but stood silent within the circle of
his arm. It was as if she waited for something. Then, after a
moment or two, she began to rub his sleeve lightly up and down, her
hand not very steady.

"You're played out, partner," she said. "Don't let's discuss
things to-night! They are sure to look different in the morning."

"And if they don't?" said Burke.

She glanced up at him with again that little quivering smile.
"Well, then, we'll talk," she said, "till we come to an
understandi