"I doubt that--at least, I know that it couldn't be so with me." "Well, what do you aim at?" Hilliard asked disinterestedly. "Safety," was the prompt reply. "Safety? From what?" "From years of struggle to keep myself alive, and a miserable old age." "Then you might have said--a safety-match." The jest, and its unexpectedness, struck sudden laughter from Eve. Hilliard joined in her mirth. After that she suggested, "Hadn't we better go?" "Yes. Let us walk quietly on. The streets are pleasant after sunset." On rising, after he had paid the bill, Hilliard chanced to see himself in a mirror. He had flushed cheeks, and his hair was somewhat disorderly. In contrast with Eve's colourless composure, his appearance was decidedly bacchanalian; but the thought merely amused him. They crossed Holborn, and took their way up Southampton Row, neither speaking until they were within sight of Russell Square. "I like this part of London," said Hilliard at length, pointing before him. "I often walk about the squares late at night. It's quiet, and the trees make the air taste fresh." "I did the same, sometimes, when I lived in Gower Place." "Doesn't it strike you that we are rather like each other in some things?" "Oh, yes!" Eve replied frankly. "I have noticed that." "You have? Even in the lives we have led there's a sort of resemblance, isn't there?" "Yes, I see now that there is." In Russell Square they turned from the pavement, and walked along the edge of the enclosure. "I wish Patty had been with us," said Eve all at once. "She would have enjoyed it so thoroughly." "To be sure she would. Well, we can dine again, and have Patty with us. But, after all, dining in London can't be quite what it is in Paris. I wish you hadn't gone back to work again. Do you know what I should have proposed?" She glanced inquiringly at him. "Why shouldn't we all have gone to Paris for a holiday? You and Patty could have lived together, and I should have seen you every day." Eve laughed. "Why not? Patty and I have both so much more money than we know what to do with," she answered. "Money? Oh, what of that! I have money." She laughed again. Hilliard was startled. "You are talking rather wildly. Leaving myself out of the question, what would Mr. Dally say to such a proposal?" "Who's Mr. Dally?" "Don't you know? Hasn't Patty told you that she is engaged?" "Ah! No; she hasn't spoken of it. But I think I must have seen him at the music-shop one day. Is she likely to marry him?" "It isn't the wisest thing she could do, but that may be the end of it. He's in an auctioneer's office, and may have a pretty good income some day."