"My poor little girl, yes, you have," he said, reaching forward to take and pat her hand. "Well, give me a few hours to think what will be best to do, and then we will decide whether to declare war against James Wilton and cover ourselves with the shield of the law, or go right away for a change. You will give me a few hours, my dear, say till this time to-morrow?" "Oh, yes," she said, with a sigh of relief. "Pray forgive me; I cannot help all this." "I know, I know," he said, smiling. "By the way, to-morrow is my birthday; you must try and celebrate it a little for me." She looked at him wonderingly. "I mean, make Sarah Plant prepare an extra dinner, and I will bring home plenty of fruit and flowers; and after dinner we will discuss our plans and strike for freedom. Ah, my dear, it will be a great relief to me, for I have been growing very, very anxious about you. Too tired to give me a little music?" "No, indeed, no," she said eagerly. "Your words have given me more relief than I can tell." "That's right," he said, "but to be correct, I ought to ask you to read to me, to be in accord with the poem. But no, let it be one of my favourite songs, and in that way, "`The night shall be filled with music, And the cares which infest the day Shall fold their tents like the Arabs, And as silently steal away.'" "Longer than I expected," said Garstang, as she left him that night for her own room. "Now let us see." In accordance with his wish, Kate tried to quell the excitement within her breast by entering eagerly into the preparations for the evening's repast, but the next day passed terribly slowly, and she uttered a sigh of relief when the hands of the clock pointed to Garstang's hour of returning. He came in, smiling and content, laden with flowers and fruit, part of the former taking the shape of a beautiful bouquet of lilies, which he handed to her with a smile. "There," he cried; "aren't they sweet? I believe, after all, that Covent Garden is the best garden in the world. I'm as pleased as a child over my birthday. Here, Mrs Plant, take this fruit, and let us have it for dessert." The housekeeper came at his call, and smiled as she took the basket he had brought in his cab, shaking her head sadly as she went down again. "Hah!" ejaculated Garstang; "and I must have an extra glass of wine in honour of the occasion. It is all right, my dear," he whispered, with a great show of mystery. "Plans made, cut and dried. We'll have them over with the dessert." Kate gave him a grateful look, and took up and pressed her bouquet to her lips, while Garstang went to a table drawer and took out a key. "You have never seen the wine cellar, my dear. Come down with me. It is capitally stored, but rather wasted upon me." He went into the hall and lit a chamber candle, returning directly.