trusted her. And yet she had thought a moment before-only a moment before-that he was as moved as herself. They had seemed to be upon the brink of confidences; and now h

, with her voice trembling. Th

is hand out and patted hers, even holding it lightl

ly framed the

"Almonds, then?" She moved impatiently, her face distorted with wretched exasperation. As if he could see that, and as if fear of the outcome hampered his resolution, Keith hurried on. "Well, look here: we'll clear the table together, if you li

the note of roughness from her pleading voice, although sha

el! thought Jenny. "I mean, this is his bedtime, I suppose?" There was no answer. Jenny looked at the t

f everything she said was lost before ever it reached his heart-as if the words were like weak blows against an overwhelming strength. Discouragement followed and deepened after every blow-every useless and baffled word. There was again silence, while Jenny set her teeth, forcing back her bitterness

ll begin first," Keith

hat for

n, that Keith was cruelly playing with her, mercilessly watching the effect of his own coldness upon her too sensitive heart. Eh, but it was a lesson to her! What brutes men could be, at this game! And that th

e to her feet. "Where is it the things go?" Keith also rose, and Jenn

side. "Here; have a drink of water." Jenny, steadyin

sked. "I feel as if my teeth were swollen, an

on't feel the effects long. Go on deck if you like. You'll feel all right in the air. I'll clear a

a sleeping-cabin into the galley. It was this other cabin that still further deepened Jenny's sense of pain-of inferiority. That wa

he night would pass, but her sadness would remain. She would think of him here. She gave him up, quite humble in her perception of the disparity between them. And yet her own love would stay, and she must store her memory full of all that she would want to know when she thought of his every moment.

y white counterpane and such an eiderdown quilt as she might optimistically have dreamed about. The tiny cabin was so compact, and so marvellously furnished with beautifu

o beauty. "When there's company I sleep forward with the others." He had been

riend of yours, t

swered. "Understand?" Jenny

said. Keit

ap, and was both relieved and disappointed when it gasped and offered her cold water. There were monogramed toilet appointments beautiful to see; a leather-cased carriage clock, a shelf full of books that looked fascinating; towels

quid, the pupils dilated; her whole appearance was one of suppressed excitement. She had chagrin, not only because she felt that her appearance was unattra

coming. Jenny bent nearer, meeting the eyes with a clear stare. There were wretched lines about her mouth. For the first time in her life she had

e mirror their glances met. At his touch Jenny thrilled, and unconsciously leaned towards him. From the mirrored glance she turned questioningly, to meet up

tion, retaining hold upon her elbow. His face was tantalisingly close to hers, and Jenny involuntarily

he asked. "You look

ackwards and forwards until the table was cleared. Then he unscrewed the table legs, and the whole thing came gently away in his hands. There appeared four small brass sockets imbedded in the carpet's deep pile; and the centre of the room was cl

have a breather on deck

i

e swarmed throbbing points of silver. They seemed more remote, as though the clearer air had driven them farther off. Jenny, her own face and throat illumined, stared up at the moon, marvelling; and then she turned, without speaking, t

as the river's agitation subsided. The boat came nearer, a coloured light showing; and presently it hastened past, a moving thing with a muffled figure at its helm; and the Minerva rocked gently almost until the sound of the motor boat's tuff-tuff had been lost in the general noise of London. Nearer at hand, above them, Jenny could hear the clanging of tram-gongs and the clatter and slow boom of motor omnibuses;

herself. She was restless and unhappy again, her nerves on edge. The moon and the water, whic

of puzzled apology. She caught hi

at minute. Like somebo

n the moonlight, while the water flowed rapidly beneath them and the night's mystery emphasised their remoteness from the

here!" He plumped a cushion for her, and Jenny sank into an enveloping softness that rose about her as water might hav

told him, reassuringly. "Mis

had been doing, dreaming of him until-until what? Jenny sighed at the grey vision. Only hunger had driven her to his side on this evening-the imperative hunger of her nature upon which Keith had counted. He had been sure she would come-that was unforgivable. He had welcomed her as he might have welcomed a man; but as he might also have welcomed any man or woman who would have relieved his loneliness upon the yacht. Not a loved friend. Jenny, with her brain restored by the gentle breeze to its normal quickness of action, seemed dartingly to seek in every direction for reassurance! and she found in everything no single tone or touch to feed her insatiable greed for tokens of his love. Oh, but she was miserable indeed-disappointed in her dearest and most secret aspirations. He was perhaps afraid that she wanted to attach herself to him? If that were so, why couldn't he be honest, and tell her so? That was all she wanted from him. She wanted only the truth. She felt she could bear anything but this kindness, this charming detached thought for her. He was giving her courtesy when all she needed was that

f that were so, good-bye to her dreams. If she were no more to him than that there was no hope left in her life. For Keith might ply from port to port, seeing in her only one girl for his amusement; but he had spoilt her for another man. No other man could escape the withering comparison with Keith. To Jenny he was a king among men, incomparable; and if he did not love her, then t

enny looke

uck up with your tale-won't you! If you're going

tone. "You're here now. You'll

asked Jenny sharply.

er. He stretched his legs and dr

He looked sideways at

nn

enace of his words no less tha

nk it's funny to talk like that." Jenny looked straight in front of her, and her heart was fluttering. It was not her first tremor; but she was deepl

remarked, in a dispassionate w

got the jumps. I've had awful row

chest." She shook her head. Oh no, she wanted somethi

"Drives it in more. Besides, I don'

laughing noise. "The

alarmed at his perverseness; b

her bitterly at his o

en want to know such a

rply countered. "I sup

k no notice. "Well, yes: I suppose all of them. They all want to ta

"Oh, well: I shall have to be going home." She wearily moved, in absolute de

nny's body and she moved her head quickly in resting it on his shoulder, Keith's face against her hair, and their two hearts beating quickly. It was done in a second, and they sat so, closely embraced, without speech. Still Jenny's hands were free, as if they had been lifeless. Time seemed to stand still, and every n

n a dreadful murmur. "You don't wa

ost a shudder. Her hands went as if by instinct to her hair, smoothing it. Anoth

ettee; but she did not look at Keith. She was looking at nothing. Only in her mind was going on the tumult of merciless self-judgment. Suddenly her composure gave way and she was again in his