"You could have waited a little," he grumbled, somewhat reconciled to find that they were not being observed; "you were sure of another sort of life presently." "I'll have it, thought I to myself, without waiting," she said, recklessly, "and I feel better already. Running away from my doll's cradle without preparation, with an idea in my head I am going to carry out, has put new life into me. My blood isn't creeping through my veins; it is dancing, and I am alive once more. Really now I feel as if I should like to waltz with you round the Square!" "Are you quite mad?" he cried, holding her still by force, but unable to refrain from admiration of her wild flow of spirits. "We have but a few hours to wait. Can't you content yourself for a little while? What is this insane idea of yours which you are going to carry out!" "To spend the evening with you, my dear," she replied gaily. "Where?" "In Great Porter Square. Where else?" While this conversation was proceeding, he had led her in an opposite direction from the house in which he lodged, and they were now on the other side of the Square. "Now I am sure you are mad," he said. "Do you know what I have to do to-night?" "No," she replied, "and I am curious to know." "I keep it to myself; but you will hear of it, and when you do you will laugh. Shall I leave behind me a danger hanging over my head--and yours? A secret that one day may be discovered, and bring ruin and death to me--and you? No, no; they make a mistake in the mettle of Dick Pelham if they think he is going to leave a trap-door open for himself to fall into." "I should fall also, Pelham!" she said half-questioningly. "Why, yes; you would come down with me. It couldn't be helped, I fear. I have a kind of dog-in-the-manger feeling for you. If I can't have you myself, I'll not leave you to another man." "It _can't_ be helped, I suppose," she said, shrugging her shoulders; "but it doesn't matter to me so long as I am enjoying myself." "Very well, then," said he, in a decided tone; "go home now, and get your trinkets and dresses in order, for by to-day week we'll be out of this dull hole. We'll live where the sun shines for the future. Hurry now, and off with you. I have a serious night's work before me." "I will help you in it," she said, in a tone as decided as his own. "It isn't a bit of use bullying, Pelham. I've made up my mind. I haven't seen your room in No. 118, and I intend to see it. I have a right to, haven't I? The wonder is I have kept away so long; and this is the last night I shall have the chance. I was curious before, but I'm a thousand times more curious now, and if you were to talk all night you wouldn't put me off. You are going to do something bold--all the better; I'll be there to see, and I dare say I can be of assistance to you. We are in partnership, and I insist upon being an active partner. How do I know but that you have been deceiving me all this while?" "In what way?" he demanded fiercely.