“I take the risk of my bargain,” he said, releasing her hand, and leaning against the door as he took out his pocket diary. “You will have to take the risk of yours, which I hope may not prove the worse of the two. This is the seventeenth of June. What date before the twenty-fourth of July will suit you?” “You mean the twenty-fourth of July next year, I presume?” “No; I mean this year. I am going abroad on that date, married or not, to attend a conference at Geneva, and I want you to come with me. I will show you a lot of places and things that you have never seen before. It is your right to name the day, but you have no serious business to provide for, and I have.” “But you don’t know all the things I shall--I should have to provide. You had better wait until you come back from the continent.” “There is nothing to be provided on your part but settlements and your trousseau. The trousseau is all nonsense; and Jansenius knows me of old in the matter of settlements. I got married in six weeks before.” “Yes,” said Agatha sharply, “but I am not Henrietta.” “No, thank Heaven,” he assented placidly. Agatha was struck with remorse. “That was a vile thing for me to say,” she said; “and for you too.” “Whatever is true is to the purpose, vile or not. Will you come to Geneva on the twenty-fourth?” “But--I really was not thinking when I--I did not intend to say that I would--I--” “I know. You will come if we are married.” “Yes. IF we are married.” “We shall be married. Do not write either to your mother or Jansenius until I ask you.” “I don’t intend to. I have nothing to write about.” “Wretch that you are! And do not be jealous if you catch me making love to Lady Brandon. I always do so; she expects it.” “You may make love to whom you please. It is no concern of mine.” “Here comes the wagonette with Lady Brandon and Ger--and Miss Lindsay. I mustn’t call her Gertrude now except when you are not by. Before they interrupt us, let me remind you of the three points we are agreed upon. I love you. You do not love me. We are to be married before the twenty-fourth of next month. Now I must fly to help her ladyship to alight.” He hastened to the house door, at which the wagonette had just stopped. Agatha, bewildered, and ashamed to face her friends, went in through the conservatory, and locked herself in her room. Trefusis went into the library with Gertrude whilst Lady Brandon loitered in the hall to take off her gloves and ask questions of the servants. When she followed, she found the two standing together at the window. Gertrude was listening to him with the patient expression she now often wore when he talked. He was smiling, but it struck Jane that he was not quite at ease. “I was just beginning to tell Miss Lindsay,” he said, “of an extraordinary thing that has happened during your absence.” “I know,” exclaimed Jane, with sudden conviction. “The heater in the conservatory has cracked.”