“Handsome ticker--jeweled back. You always were fond of that kind of thing. I’ve lost mine.” She slipped the watch into her waistband and smiled, and Mr. Bartley Bradstone bore the appropriation of his property without a protest. “So you won’t come,” she said. “Very well. But you haven’t done with me yet; don’t flatter yourself I’m going to let you off so easy! Let me see; I’m going to stay here till to-morrow night, just for change of air,” and she laughed. “Meet me here at four o’clock to-morrow afternoon.” He started, and his face reddened. “That’s impossible, Bella,” he said, quickly. “I’ve got an--an important engagement.” “Oh! you’ve--got--an--important--engagement, have you?” she said, with slow contempt; “then you’ll have to put your important engagement off for one more important still.” The sweat started out on his forehead, and he wiped it away covertly. “Don’t be absurd, Bella,” he said, with a sickly smile. “I tell you I can’t meet you to-morrow--not at that time. I’ll meet you at night, or the next day.” “No you won’t; to-morrow night I shall be gone. Four o’clock in the afternoon, please; and you may as well bring a few notes with you--say for a hundred. I’m rather short just now.” He affected consternation. “A hundred pounds! You must think I’m made of money! Well, you shall have it, for--for the sake of old times. But you needn’t trouble to come for it, Bella. I’ll send it to you here----” She smiled. “No, you won’t. I’ve a fancy for making you bring it--just for the sake of old times! You seem very disinclined to meet me to-morrow; what’s your reason, I wonder?” and she eyed him suspiciously. The lids of his downcast eyes quivered. “There can’t be much pleasure in our meetings now,” he said. “I don’t care to be reminded of the past; you must feel that. Look here, you shall have the money. I’ll make it a hundred and fifty, though I can’t very well spare it, but only on condition that you let me send it to you.” She shook her head, and, with a laugh, caught at a branch of the tree with one hand and drew herself up, hanging for a moment gracefully motionless, then dropped like a feather to the ground, and kissed her hand to him. “No, I’ll have my way. Bring it here to-morrow at four o’clock, or--I’ll go with you now! I’m not exactly in evening dress; but you can explain--you’re good at explaining, you know.” His face paled, and his breath came fast for a moment, as he thought of this woman with her cigarette in her mouth, her stage smile, and loud, defiant voice, accompanying him into the pure presence of Olivia; then he nodded. “Very well,” he said, sullenly. “I’ll come. And now I must be going.” He put out his hand for his watch, and she laughed mockingly. “I’ll tell you the time,” she said. “No; I can’t see. Off with you. Remember, four o’clock, and you can make it the extra fifty. Here! wait! give me the rest of those cigarettes.”