This very injudicious phrase led to a demonstration of affection on the part of Mrs. Ede, and whatever were the chances of getting rid of her before, they were now reduced to nothing. The strain on her nerves was at height during the first half of the walk, for during that time she knew that Mr. Lennox was expecting her; afterwards, while bargaining with the fruiterer in St. John's Road, she fell into despondency. Nothing seemed to matter now; she did not care what might befall her, and in silence she accompanied her mother-in-law home. 'Now, mother, you must leave me; I've some work to finish.' 'I'm sorry, Kate, if----' 'Mother, I've some work to finish; good-night.' And she sat in the workroom waiting for Mr. Lennox. At last his heavy step was heard on the stairs; then, laying aside the shirt she was making, she stole out to meet him. He saw her as he scraped a match on the wall; dropping it, he put out his hands towards her. 'Is that you, dear?' he said. 'Why didn't you come to the theatre? We had a magnificent house.' 'I couldn't; I met my mother-in-law.' The red embers of the match that had fallen on the floor now went out, and the indication of their faces was swept away in the darkness. 'Let me get a light, dear.' The intonation of his voice as he said 'dear' caused her an involuntary feeling of voluptuousness. She trembled as the vague outline of his big cheeks became clear in the red flame of the match which he held in his hollowed hands. 'Won't you come in?' she heard him say a moment after. 'No, I couldn't; I must go upstairs in a minute. I only came to tell you, for I didn't want you to go away angry; it wasn't my fault. I should so much have liked to have gone to the theatre.' 'It was a pity you didn't come; I was waiting at the door for you. I could have sat by you the whole time.' Kate's heart died within her at thought of what she had lost, and after a long silence she said very mournfully: 'Perhaps when you come back another time I shall be able to go to the theatre.' 'We've done so well here that we're going to get another date. I'll write and let you know.' 'Will you? And will you come back and lodge here?' 'Of course, and I hope that I shan't be so unlucky the next time as to fall down amid the crockery.' At this they both laughed, and the conversation came to a pause. 'I must bid you good-night now.' 'But won't you kiss me--just a kiss, so that I may have something to think of?' 'Why do you want to kiss me? You have Miss Leslie to kiss.' 'I never kissed Leslie; that's all nonsense, and I want to kiss you because I love you.' Kate made no answer, and, following her into the heavy darkness that hung around the foot of the staircase, he took her in his arms. She at first made no resistance, but the passion of his kiss caused her a sudden revolt, and she struggled with him.