was, she could not restrain her eagerness as they overtook a tramcar, and the chauffeur honked his horn, and they glided nearer and nearer, and passed, and seemed to leave the tram standing. Each time this was in process of happening Jenny gave a small excited chuckle, thinking of the speed, and the ease, and of how the people in the tram must feel at being defeated in the race. Every such encounter became a race, in which she pressed phy

indescribably happy and beautiful. She always remembered him as he had been when first he had caught her eye, when he had stood so erect among other men who lounged by the sea, smoking and lolling at ease. He was different, as she was different. And she was going to him. How

ore him in confession. She was too proud for that. He would tell her that he loved her; and the spell would be broken. Her shyness would be gone; her bravado immediately unnecessary. But until then she must beware. It was as necessary to Keith's pride as to her own that he should win her. The Keith she loved would not care for a love to

ur. It was nine o'clock. They were back at Westminster. Before her was the bridge, and above was the lighted face of the clock, like some faded sun. And the strokes rolled out in s

wildered way, as if she had been

dington's down there in the dinghy. Mind how you go, miss. Hold tight

k were the same, the darkness, the feeling of the sinister water rolling there beneath the bridge, resistlessly carrying its burdens to the sea. If Keith had not been there she would have turned and r

the edge of the lapping water, the outline of a small boat and of a man who sat in it using the oars against the force of the

eviously been holding up a small lantern that gilded the brown mud with a feeble colour and made the water look like oil. "Now!" he cried quickly. "Step!" The boat rocked, and Jenny crouched down upon the narrow seat, aflame with rapture, but terrified of the water. It was so near, so inescapably near. The sense of its smooth softness, its yieldingness, and the danger lurking beneath the

enny saw lights shining from the middle of the river, and could imagine tha

i

.... The oars ground against the edge of the dinghy-wood against wood, grumbling and echoing upon the water. Behind everything she heard the roaring of London, and was aware of lights, moving and stationary, high above them. How low upon the water they were! It seemed to be on a level with the boat's edges. And how much alone they were, moving there in the darkness while the life of the city went on s

ighten the heavens. Far above, and very pale, were stars; but the sky was still murky, so that the river remained in darkness. They came alongside the yacht. Keith shipped his oars, caught hold of something which Jenny could not see; and

. "Up you go! It's quite ste

; but the touch of it nerved her, because it was firm. She felt the dinghy yield as she stepped from it, and she seemed for one instant to be hanging precariously in space above the terrifying waters. Then she was at the top of the ladder, ready for Keith's warning shout about the descent

er!" And she gave an audible s

" Keith cried. "Ab

ety of this delicate golden brown. In the middle of the cabin stood a square table; and on the table, arrayed in an exquisitely white tablecloth, was laid a wondrous meal. The table was laid for two: candles with amber shades made silver shine and glasses glitter. Upon a fruit stand were peaches and nectarines; upon a tray she saw decanters; little dishes crowding the table bore mysterious things to eat such as Jenny had never before seen. Upon a side table stood other dishes, a tray bearing coffee cups and ingredients for the provision of coffee, curious silver boxes. Everywhere she saw flowers

, until she came within the sof

you to come!" he said. "Le

the man she loved: her eyes were veiled, but they were unfathomably those of one deeply in love. She did not know how to hide the emotions with which she was so painfully struggli

ing," she said, in a voice of reproach. "Yo

said q

he lowered his eyes. She was

les between the knuckles. He stood with incomparable ease, his hands and arms always ready, but in perfect repose. His lips, for he was clean-shaven, were keen and firm. His glance was fearless. As the phrase is, he looked every inch a sailor, born to challenge the winds and the waters. To Jenny, who knew only those men who show at once what they think or feel, his greater bree

e said. "But you need

n. He motioned her to the table

a good girl. And presently I'll tell you all about it." He looked so charming as he spoke that Jenny obediently smiled in return, and the light came rushing into her eyes,

!" she said helplessly

merged with the others in a marvellous contentment because she was with Keith, cut off from the world, happy and at peace. If she sighed, it was because her heart was full. But she had forgotten the rest of the evening, her shabbiness, every care

d before her a steaming pla

It seemed a strange reversal of the true order that he sh

ate. She spelt them out E T K I H-KEITH. He watched her, enjoying the spectacle of the na?ve mind in action as the light darted into her face. "

t: thousands of little fish.... Jenny hardly liked to crunch them. Keith whipped away the plates, and div

th admitted. "Just a

s not stew and bread an

thful of the pie made h

like h

ad meant only that her sensations were those of supreme co

was all brimmi

glass of red wine and laid it before her. Jenny saw with marvel the reflections of light on the wine

ake me tipsy!" They exchanged overj

urs were those of innumerable spices. She was transported with happiness at the mere thought of such trifle. As her palate vainly tried

e it?" h

e had hesitated at her destiny. "I shall bore all the kids with tales about it. I shall say 'That night

out it?" asked Keith. "L

o supper?" Their eyes met, in a long and searching glance, in w

i

t from it then. There darted across her mind the chauffeur's certai

got it all ready. Been a bit of a sell if I hadn't come. You'd have h

terest of all. It made her happiness defiant rather than secure. He was the only man for her. How did she know there were not other women for Keith! How could she ever know that?

dn't I?" Keith inquired in a dry voice. "If you'd come here and found

innumerable things together, always in perfect confidence, in perfect understanding. Yet now, when she saw him afresh, all was different. Keith was different. He was browner, thinner, less warm in manner; and more familiar, too, as though he were sure of her. His clothes were different, and his carriage. He was not the same man. It was still Keith, still the man Jenny loved; but as though he were also somebody else whom she was meeting for the first time. Her love, the love intensified by long broodings, was as stron

ave come. But I've come, and you had all these beautiful things ready; and...." Her courage to be sev

ked, Jenny thought, quite eager. Or was that only her fancy because s

gleamed in the faint glow of the cabin. So, also, did the fascinating golden hairs upon the back of his hand. Gently the cabin

h I hadn't! If I'd known I was coming out I'd have star

answered, as if

to shock me.

peach towards him. "Grand, isn't it!" Jenny discovered for Keith's quizzical gaze an unex

I pee

he glowing skin of the fruit fell in lifeless peelings upon his plate, dying as it were un

otested. "Then I should si

o admire first of all the pattern of the silver tray. Jenny had never seen such a tray before, outside a shop, no

lowly reflected. Keith looked sharply up from the coff

done. I've looked forward to it for weeks. You don't think of that. We've been in the Mediterranean, coasting about. I've be

" Jenny queri

s this yacht. Did you

it wasn't...." J

i

hand still lightly holding the fruit knife, and her fingers half

n-wanted to go and visit his wife ... and that left me to see after the yacht. D

en me longer notice," urge

" said Keith soberly. "I was once; but I'm not n

s, and in looking at the light up

ing else?" she asked. K

o know a lo

, do I?" Jenny answered

nothing at all. I have

ant to k

able. She could not raise her eyes further. She was afrai

ask for it, isn't it!" sh