"And does Archie really believe this tale himself, or is it just one of his little pleasantries?" She didn't know. "Is he at the college this morning?" "Yes." "Good. Will you send him down to me if I walk back with you? I think we won't lose any time over this." "And you'll give him a really severe talking-to?" she asked eagerly. "I will," I promised. "Come----" Twenty minutes later I was again in the doorway of the Business College, waiting for Archie to descend. And as I waited I reflected how well-nigh irrevocably I had tied myself up with Kitty now. I think that up to then she would have stuck to me even had this of Miss Causton been true; but now she would never, never let me go. Perhaps I may here mention the plan I had at first had for getting rid of her when I should require her no longer. I had based that plan on the fascination the "compromising situation" of her favourite novels always had for her. I never knew anyone so self-conscious about her defencelessness, and I had worked it out that I had only to propose my own chamber for an assignation and she would conceive herself to be looking into the bright face of danger indeed. All peril and all romance would lie for her in her setting foot on the lowest of my stairs.... And doubtless one glance at that naked room of mine (I had pawned even my oil-stove) would, I had estimated, drive her away in instant and horrified fright.... I had not been above planning this. But now she would never, never leave her big, wonderful man. Yes. I had fettered myself fairly completely. Holborn was noisy that morning, and between the sound of passing vehicles and Archie's own light tread I was not aware of his presence until he spoke. Instantly I saw that he thought he knew why I had come and had resolved to take one bull at least by the horns. "I say, Jeff," he began at once, with embarrassed sincerity--a sincere desire, that is, to be out of the mess he had landed himself in, "Kitty's just told me. I know--I know you must be beastly angry with me--quite right too--I'm awfully sorry and--and ashamed. It was caddish. But I really didn't mean anything, and--and--and I thought you as much as said it yourself, you know----" I judged it best not to speak just yet. I stood looking at him. "You're an awfully good sort," he went on, conciliatingly, "but--but--I really thought you _were_ a bit sweet on her (that was all I meant)--that time--you know--before I knew it was really Kitty. I simply said to Mackie--he watched you too at the party--I admit I was 'on' a bit, and never thought it would end like this----" Then I spoke. "You mean you didn't think it would end in my getting the sack and being cut by everybody I know except yourself and Mackie? How did you think it would end, then?" He jumped eagerly at a chance, ready to promise anything. "I'll see that's all right, old boy--and Hitchcock _was_ coming back anyway, you know--you only had the job while he was away----"