"If they were only worth that I would make you a present of them," she said. "If they were worth more they would not be for sale." "Are they worth more?" "I don't know, really. Anyhow, they are not on the market." She drank some tea with a prim air, uncomfortably conscious that she was blushing. There was a short pause, and Cullyngham spoke again. "I hope I'm not boring you," he said, with a smile which took for granted the impossibility of the idea. "Oh, dear, no. I'm seldom bored at meals." Elsie took a bite out of a bun. "Very well. Till you have finished tea I will keep quiet; after that I will endeavour to amuse you." The meal continued solemnly. Once or twice Elsie directed a furtive glance at the man beside her, and detected him eyeing her in a manner which made her feel hot and cold by turns. It was not that he was rude or objectionable, but Elsie suddenly felt conscious that Pip's open stare of honest admiration was infinitely less embarrassing than this. Cullyngham, as a matter of fact, was in a dangerous mood. His was not a pride that took a fall easily, and the fact that he had been compelled to submit to Pip's unconditional ultimatum was goading him to madness. No man is altogether bad, but we are all possessed of our own particular devils, and Cullyngham accommodated more than his fair share of them. He had never denied himself the gratification of any passion, however unworthy, and at that moment his one consuming desire was to retaliate upon the man who had humiliated him. He looked around the empty conservatory, and then again at the girl in the basket-chair beside him. He could punish Pip now in a most exquisite manner. Elsie caught the glance, and for a moment was suddenly conscious of an emotion hitherto unknown to her--acute physical fear. But Cullyngham said lightly-- "Enjoyed your tea?" "Yes, thanks," she replied rather tremulously, putting down her cup. "Then may I smoke?" "Certainly. But I am going now." "Right, if you must. I'll just light my cigarette and see you to the end of the drive." Cullyngham produced a box of matches, and, with the paternal air of one endeavouring to amuse a child, performed various tricks with them. Then he lit a cigarette, and showed Elsie how, by doubling up your tongue, it is possible to grip the cigarette in the fold and draw it into your mouth, reproducing it, still lighted and glowing, a minute later. "Quite a little exhibition!" said Elsie, at her ease again. "You ought to set up as a conjurer. Now I must be off." "There is one other little trick with a match that might amuse you," said Cullyngham. "It was taught me by a girl I know. She made me go down on my hands and knees--" "I refuse to go down on my knees for anybody," said Elsie, with spirit.