d friend to consider before I
said No.

Reflection decided me on taking the responsibility, whatever it might
be, upon my own shoulders. Good or bad, compassionate or cruel, the
Major was a man. A woman's influence was the safest influence to trust
with him, where the end to be gained was such an end as I had in view.
It was not easy to say this to Benjamin without the danger of mortifying
him. I made an appointment with the old man to call on me the next
morning at the hotel, and talk the matter over again. Is it very
disgraceful to me to add that I privately determined (if the thing could
be accomplished) to see Major Fitz-David in the interval?

"Do nothing rash, my dear. In your own interests, do nothing rash!"

Those were Benjamin's last words when we parted for the day.

I found Eustace waiting for me in our sitting-room at the hotel. His
spirits seemed to have revived since I had seen him last. He advanced to
meet me cheerfully, with an open sheet of paper in his hand.

"My business is settled, Valeria, sooner than I had expected," he began,
gayly. "Are your purchases all completed, fair lady? Are _you_ free
too?"

I had learned already (God help me!) to distrust his fits of gayety. I
asked, cautiously,

"Do you mean free for to-day?"

"Free for to-day, and to-morrow, and next week, and next month--and next
year too, for all I know to the contrary," he answered, putting his arm
boisterously round my waist. "Look here!"

He lifted the open sheet of paper which I had noticed in his hand, and
held it for me to read. It was a telegram to the sailing-master of the
yacht, informing him that we had arranged to return to Ramsgate that
evening, and that we should be ready to sail for the Mediterranean with
the next tide.

"I only waited for your return," said Eustace, "to send the telegram to
the office."

He crossed the room as he spoke to ring the bell. I stopped him.

"I am afraid I can't go to Ramsgate to-day," I said.

"Why not?" he asked, suddenly changing his tone, and speaking sharply.

I dare say it will seem ridiculous to some people, but it is really true
that he shook my resolution to go to Major Fitz-David when he put his
arm round me. Even a mere passing caress from _him_ stole away my heart,
and softly tempted me to yield. But the ominous alteration in his tone
made another woman of me. I felt once more, and felt more strongly than
ever, that in my critical position it was useless to stand