a jest of a woman's
name."

"And even so, you do not love him, because that would not be possible."

"You have no right to say that," and she wrenched her hand free.

"I have the right, the right you gave me."

"I--I gave you no right."

"You have. You gave me that right, Joan, when you gave me your heart.
You do not love that man, because you love me!"

Back into the white face came all the hardness and coldness that he so
well knew. She rose; she looked down on him.

"It is--untrue. I do not. I have but one feeling for you
always--always--the same, the one feeling. I despise you. How could I
love a thing that I despise?"

And, knowing that it was a lie, she dared not meet the scrutiny of his
eyes, and turned quickly away.

"Joan!" he said. He would have followed her, but then came the waiter
with his bill, and he was forced to stay, and when he reached the street
she was gone.

"I quite thought that they were going to make it up, and then it seemed
that they quarrelled again," one of the ladies at the other table said.

The other nodded. "I think that they do not know their own minds, young
people seldom do. I wish I had bought three yards more of that cerise
ninon. It would have made up so well for Violet, don't you think?"

CHAPTER XXVI

MR. ALSTON CALLS

Mr. Philip Slotman sat in his office; he was slowly deciphering a
letter, ill-written and badly spelled.

"DEAR SIR,

"According to promise I am writing to you hopeing it finds you as
it leaves me at present. Dear sir, having some news I am writing
to tell you saime. Yesterday Mr. John Everard of Buddesby was here
and him and Miss Jone was in the garden for a long time. I seen
them from my window, but could not get near enuff to hear. Anyhow
I see him kissing her hand. Laiter, after he had gone, I seen Miss
Jone and Mrs. Everard together, and listened as best I could. From
what I heard I imadgined that Miss Jone and Mr. John Everard is
now engaged to be married, which Mrs. Everard seems very pleased
to hear.

"This morning Miss Jone gets a letter and the postmark is Hurst
Dormer, like you told me to look out for. She is now gone to
London. Please send money in accordance with promise and I will
write and tell you all the news as soon as there is any more.

"Youres truley,
"MISS ALICE BETTS."

The door opened, a boy clerk came in. Slotman thrust the letter he