"I shall return with you, Earle," she said. "I have been thinking it all over, and I will go at once. I will not wait to say good-bye to the people here." "But that seems strange--not quite right. Why not go and bid them farewell? Tell them the good fortune that has happened to you." "No; they are very fond of me--the children especially. You do not know; they would not let me come away." "But it does not seem right," persisted Earle. "It is right enough; if I go back to them I shall not go with you. I can write to them as soon as I reach England, and tell them all about it." "I know you will have your own way, Doris. It is useless for me to interfere; do as you please." "That is like my old lover, Earle; now I begin to feel at home with you. I did use you very wickedly, but all the time I liked you." "I know exactly the value of your liking," said Earle, who had determined to be cool and guarded. She talked to him in the old sweet tones; she gave him the sweetest glances from her lovely eyes; she remembered all the pretty arts and graces which had attracted him most; and Earle, despite his caution, despite his resolve, knew that his heart was on fire again with the glamour and magic of her beauty; knew that every pulse was throbbing with passion; and she knew, as well as though he had put it into words, that the old charm was returning, only a thousand times stronger. She laid her white hand on his arm, and he shrank shuddering from the touch. She only smiled--her time would come. "I shall not return to the house where I have been living. The reason is that I wish them to forget me. I shall not like, when I am Lady Doris Studleigh, to be recognized by them." That pride was so exactly like her, he understood it well. "You can return to Florence, if you like," she continued, with the air of a queen; "but if you wish to please me, you will walk on with me to the nearest railway station, and let us go at once to Genoa. We can travel from Genoa to London." "But I have left my things at the hotel," he said. "Is there anything particular among them, Earle?" "No," he replied. "Then you can send for them on your arrival. Please yourself. If you do not go on my terms, I shall go alone." Then he looked at the rippling, golden hair, that fell in such shining profusion over her shoulders, at the dress of rich velvet, silk and delicate lace. "You are not dressed for traveling. Why be so hasty?" he said. "I can purchase anything I want at Genoa," she replied. Then he noticed for the first time what costly jewels she wore, and how her hands were covered with shining gems. For the first time a thrill of uneasiness, of doubt, of fear, shot through him. "You have some beautiful jewels, Doris," he said, slowly. Her face flushed, then she laughed carelessly. "How easy it is to deceive a man," she said; "a lady would have known at one glance that they were not real." He felt greatly relieved.