They had reached the gate, and he held out his hand. Delia had flushed violently, but she yielded her own. He pressed it lingeringly, as she had foreseen, then released it and opened the gate for her. "Good-bye then. A word commands me--when you wish. We keep watch--and each informs the other--barring accidents. That is, I think, the bargain." She murmured assent, and they parted. Half way back towards his own cottage, Lathrop paused at a spot where the trees were thin, and the slopes of the valley below could be clearly seen. He could still make out her figure nearing the first houses of the village. "I think she hates me. Never mind! I command her, and meet me she must--when I please to summon her. There is some sweetness in that--and in teasing the stupid fellow who no doubt will own her some day." And he thought exultantly of Winnington's letter to him, and his own insolent reply. It had been a perfectly civil letter--and a perfectly proper thing for a guardian to do. But--for the moment-- "I have the whip hand--and it amuses me to keep it,--Now then for Blaydes!" For there, in the doorway of the cottage, stood the young journalist, waiting and smoking. He was evidently in good humour. "Well? She came?" "Of course she came. But it doesn't matter to you." "Oh, doesn't it! I suppose she wants you to sell something more for her?" Lathrop did not reply. Concerning Gertrude Marvell, he had not breathed a word to Blaydes. They entered the hut together, and Lathrop rekindled the fire. The two men sat over it smoking. Blaydes plied his companion with eager questions, to which Lathrop returned the scantiest answers. At last he said with a sarcastic look-- "I was offered four hundred pounds this afternoon--and refused it." "The deuce you did!" cried Blaydes, fiercely. "What about my debt--and what do you mean?" "Ten per cent. commission," said Lathrop, drawing quietly at his cigar. "Sales up to two thou., a fortnight ago. I shall get the same money--or more--for the next batch." "Well, that's all right! No need to get it out of the lady, if you're particular. Get it out of the other side. Any fool could manage that." "I shall not get a farthing out of the other side. I shall not make a doit out of the whole transaction!" "Then you're a d----d fool," said Blaydes, in a passion. "And a dishonest fool besides!" "Easy, please! What hold should I have on this girl--this splendid creature--if I were merely to make money out of her? As it is, she's obliged to me--she treats me like a gentleman. I thought you had matrimonial ideas." "I don't believe you've got the ghost of a chance!" grumbled Blaydes, his mind smarting under the thought of the lost four hundred pounds, out of which his debt might have been paid. "Nor do I," said Lathrop, coolly. "But I choose to keep on equal terms with her. You can sell me up when you like."