"You rash, inconsiderate darling!" she said. "That's impossible. I wish it wasn't. No. You shall be guided by me, and let me have my own way. In the first place, I must go back to No. 40 for many reasons. Well, if you insist on knowing, I must get some more things. I am very glad you like this dress; but it wouldn't do for one's whole outfit. Don't look so alarmed: my wardrobe is not very large, and I know where I can have it taken care of without dragging about with me more than I require. To-morrow I shall be free." "And to-morrow I must be at Windsor--at least in the afternoon," observed Frank in an injured tone. "Why the Colonel can't inspect my young horses without _me_ I don't know. The whole lot are not worth five pounds. But I can get away by six o'clock." "At Windsor!" repeated Jin. "The very thing! Now listen, Frank, and I will arrange it all in a way that will disarm suspicion, and leave no trace of us after we have made our escape. You shall go down to your barracks and attend to your duties, like a good boy. I mean you to be always subservient to discipline. When your colonel has done with you, it will be my turn. You will get into a skiff, or whatever you call it--a boat that has room enough for two people, and cushions, and all that--you shall row it to the very place I got in at--don't you remember--the day you saved my life? and--and you will find me waiting there. Take me or leave me; as I said before, Frank, I have nobody in the world now but you." He lifted her hand passionately to his lips. "Take you!" he repeated, "I should think I _would_! But how are you to get out of London? What excuse can you make to Mrs. Lascelles?" She hated herself that she could lie to _him_, and yet such is the force of habit, such are the exigencies of a life like hers, the ready falsehood came glib to her tongue. "We are all going to The Lilies for a day or two," she said. "Miss Hallaton is to be there, with Mrs. Lascelles, on a visit." Even now he winced as if he was stung, at the bare mention of Helen's name. The sensation was painful in the extreme, though qualified by gratified vanity, and a certain bitter satisfaction in the justice of his reprisals. She read him like a book. If she had ever wavered for a moment, if her better nature had ever warned her to spare the man's future because she loved him, all such considerations were utterly set aside in that passion for rivalry which has driven so many women to destruction, and by which Miss Ross was certainly not less affected than the rest of her sex.