“Well--yes.... I am instructed to beware of you.... Darling!” “Are you going to beware of me?” “No.” He kissed her threateningly: “What do you suppose my aunt would think if she knew you had once been my guest over night?” “I told her.” “What!” he exclaimed. “But, Barry, I couldn’t allow her to be so friendly unless she understood what sort of girl I am.” “You didn’t tell her about the Park, also?” “I did.” “How did she take it?” “She said such severe things about you--I was quite annoyed!... Dreadful things, darling----” “About _me_?” “Yes. She called you several ghastly names----” “Which?” “Well--‘libertine’.” He roared with laughter but Eris had turned rosy. “I told her very plainly that you were _not_,” she said. “I told her you were kind and generous and harmless----” “Good Lord!” he exclaimed, helpless with laughter again. “What are you laughing at? You _are_ harmless!” she repeated. “Aren’t you?” “Yes, darling.... But some encomiums hurt as well as edify.... Never mind. Go on.” “That was all.... Except she tried to persuade me to give up my profession. She always does.” “What does she graciously suggest for you?” “Why, I suppose she wishes to be kind to me because she was very fond of my grandmother.... But I couldn’t go and live with her.” “She asked you?” Eris nodded. “My aunt,” he said good humouredly, “is very rich and very stingy. You’re the only person I ever heard of on whom she was ready to spend real money. What did she propose?” “Adoption, I believe.” “Lord! She really must have cared for your grandmother....” “I think she really did.” After a silence: “You declined?” “Darling! Do you think such things count with me?” After a silence: “Did you tell her I’d ever kissed you?” he asked curiously. “_That_ was none of her business, Barry.” He laughed: “So you pass up the wealthy aunt for the libertine nephew? Do you?” “I do. I like him. In fact, I’m rather in the way of loving him. Also, I love liberty, and freedom to pursue happiness. Happiness means work, and you.” “Which comes first, work or me?” “Darling!” “_Which?_” “I don’t have to make that choice----” “Suppose you had to?” he insisted. “I’d be fearfully unhappy----” “But you’d choose work.... Would you, Eris?” “I--suppose so.... Probably I’d die in either case.... Work means life.... I guess you do, too. But if I had to choose I’d choose work, I suppose.” Nothing ever had touched him so deeply; nor had so profoundly surprised him. He said: “Every word I ever have heard you utter merely reveals new beauty in you,--and my own heart, more and more in love with you.” He drew her close to his breast; spoke with his lips on her cheek: “Would marrying me hamper you?... Had you rather wait until you are more secure in your profession?” “Darling!” she said pitifully, “--that is what I had to tell you. I _am_ married.” He stared at her astounded. After a tense silence: “Please love me--Barry----” she whispered. “Please, dear!”