“You have no right to my name.” Had she owned a book then she would have opened it. She turned to the window, let up the blind, and sought to ignore him by peering out into the darkness; but if she thought thus to get rid of his company, or even silence him, she was mistaken. “You are a very foolish little girl,” he said presently. “Here you are, running away to London, where you haven’t a friend—” “Who told you that?” she demanded, turning on him. “Well, have you?” “Yes!” It was true. She had suddenly remembered that Colin was there, not that she expected ever to meet him. But the inspiration served her purpose: Symington was taken aback. “Then it is some one your uncle does not know of,” he said sharply, and wished he had not spoken, for she was quick to retort— “So my uncle told you I was in the train, though you pretended to be surprised to see me! I may be foolish, Mr. Symington, but I’m not utterly stupid.” “You are—delightfully stupid,” he returned, restraining his temper, “if you think I’m going to let you disappear into London before I have seen what your friend is like. London is a dangerous place, as you would know if you had ever shown your pretty face in it before. Now don’t get excited. Be reasonable—patient, if you like to call it that. I don’t wonder at your running away from your awful relations and that dead-alive village, but what are you going to do in London?” Kitty, now both angry and uneasy, did not reply. “I don’t mean to be impertinent,” he went on, “but I can’t help being aware that you have no money—or, at least, very little. Now in London—” “You needn’t concern yourself whether I have money or not,” she interrupted hotly. “You will force me to leave this—” “Please—just a moment. I can’t help concerning myself—no man could—in the circumstances. And as I happen to be a man who is in love with you—oh, you know it very well—” She rose to take her things from the rack. It was certainly not a wise move. With a strange laugh he sprang up and caught her, prisoning her arms. “Silly little girl,” he whispered passionately, “to think you can be quit of me so easily! No, no! I’ve got you and I mean to keep you. Don’t struggle—it’s no use. There!” he had her fast. They swayed a little with the movement of the train. “Now listen, Kitty,” he continued, “you’ll like me better when you know me better. I’m not a bad sort, and I can give you things you’ve never dreamed of. Let’s be friends for the present. I won’t hurry you about the other thing.” His voice sounded a little breathless. “In a few hours we’ll be in London. If your friend is there, good and well; but if not, you must let me look after you—show you where to stay, and so on. Leave everything to me. We’ll have a jolly good time while you’re getting to know me—” Wrenching one of her hands free she struck him in the face. “You beast!” Doubtless the word stung more than the blow. A madness grew in his eyes.