He called on Mrs Raymond at eleven in the morning on the pretext of having something important to tell her. He found her sitting at her writing-table in a kind of red kimono. Her hair was brushed straight off her forehead, her eyes were sly and bright, and she looked more Japanese than ever. Cecil told her what Hyacinth had said to him. 'Now, you see, I _can't_ go on making up to her any more. She doesn't care a straw about me, and she sees through it, of course. I've done what you asked me. Won't you be nice to me now?' 'Certainly not! She's quite devoted to you. Telling you not to go and see her again! I never heard of anything so encouraging in my life. Now, Cecil,' she spoke seriously, 'that girl is a rare treasure. It's not only that she's a perfect beauty, but I read her soul yesterday. She has a beautiful nature, and she's in love with you. You don't appreciate her. If you take what she said literally, you're much stupider than I gave you credit for being. I--I simply shan't see you again till you've made it up. When you know her better you _must_ care for her. Besides, I insist upon it. If you don't--well, you'll have to turn your attention somewhere else. For I seriously mean it. I won't see you.' He looked obstinate. 'It's a fad of yours, Eugenia.' 'It's not a fad of mine. It's an opportunity of yours--one that you're throwing away in the most foolish way, that you might regret all your life. At any rate, _I'm_ not going to be the cause of giving that poor darling another moment's annoyance or uneasiness. The idea of the angelic creature being worried about me! Why, it's preposterous! I'm sure she heard what I said to you when she came in behind the screen. I can't bear it, and I won't have it. Now go and see her, and you're not to come back till you have. I mean it.' 'I don't suppose for a moment--' 'Rubbish! A woman knows. She went home and cried; I know she did, and she's counting the minutes till you see her again. Now, I've lots to do, and you're frightfully in the way. Good-bye.' She held out her hand. He rose. 'You send me away definitely?' 'Definitely, Your liking for me is pure perverseness.' 'It's pure adoration,' said Cecil. 'I don't think so. It's imagination. However, whatever it is I don't want it.' 'Good-bye, then,' said Cecil. He went to the door. 'You can let me know when you've seen her.' 'I don't suppose she'll see me.' 'Yes, she will now. It's the psychological moment.' 'You shan't be bothered with me any more, anyhow,' said Cecil in a low voice. 'Good. And do what I tell you.' He shut the shabby door of the little house with a loud bang, and went out with a great longing to do something vaguely desperate. Lunch produced a different mood. He said to himself that he wouldn't think of Mrs Raymond any more, and went to call on Hyacinth. The servant told him she was out. He was just turning away when Anne Yeo came out. She glanced at him with malicious satisfaction.