"Of course I understand you perfectly, Geoffrey--perfectly! You're not very subtle--are you? What you're thinking is that when I call Philip my friend I'm meaning something else--that I'm plotting--intriguing--" Her words choked her. Geoffrey put out a soothing hand--and touched hers. "My dear child:--how could I suggest anything of the kind? I'm only a little sorry--for Philip," "Philip can take care of himself," she said passionately. "Only a _stupid--conventional_--mind could want to spoil what is really so--so--" "So charming?" suggested Geoffrey, springing to his feet. "Very well, Helena!--then if Philip is really nothing more to you than your guardian, and your very good friend--why not give some one else a chance?" He bent over her, his kind, clever face aglow with the feeling he could no longer conceal. Their eyes met--Helena's at first resentful, scornful even--then soft. She too stood up, and put out a pair of protesting hands--"Please--please, Geoffrey,--_don't_." "Why not--you angel!" He possessed himself of one of the hands and made her move with him along the avenue, looking closely into her eyes. "You must know what I feel! I wanted to speak to you last night, but you tricked me. I just adore you, Helena! I've got quite good prospects--I'm getting on in the House of Commons--and I would work for you day and night!" "You didn't adore me a month ago!" said Helena, a triumphant little smile playing about her mouth. "How you lectured me!" "For you highest good," he said, laughing; though his heart beat to suffocation. "Just give me a word of hope, Helena! Don't turn me down, at once." "Then you mustn't talk nonsense," she said vehemently, withdrawing her hand. "I don't want to be engaged! I don't want to be married! Why can't I be let alone?" Geoffrey had turned a little pale. In the pause that followed he fell back on a cigarette for consolation. "Why can't you be let alone?" he said at last. "Why?--because--you're Helena!" "What a stupid answer!" she said contemptuously. Then, with one of her quick changes, she came near to him again. "Geoffrey!--it's no good pressing me--but don't be angry with me, there's a dear. Just be my friend and help me!" She put a hand on his arm, and the face that looked into his would have bewitched a stone. "That's a very old game, Helena. 'Marry you? Rather not! but you may join the queue of rejected ones if you like.'" A mischievous smile danced in Helena's eyes. "None of them can say I don't treat them nicely!" "I daresay. But I warn you I shan't accept the position for long. I shall begin again." "Well, but not yet!--not for a long time," she pleaded. Then she gave a little impatient stamp, as she walked beside him. "I tell you--I don't want to be bound. I won't be bound! I want to be free." "So you said--_à propos_ of Philip," he retorted drily. He saw the shaft strike home--the involuntary dropping of the eyelids, the soft catch in the breath. But she rallied quickly.