"I can't endure to make trouble between you. Do let me try. He doesn't look very stern now," she declared. Winborough was engaged in conversation with Jack and Pallister, and was obviously making himself as pleasant as he so well knew how to do when he chose. Nevertheless, Geoff frowned slightly and shook his head. But with a very little more perseverance, Evarne, as usual, got her own way. A few minutes later she found her enemy standing by the side of her chair in an otherwise empty room, and heard herself directly addressed by that voice which, above all others, she had hoped and believed would never fall upon her ears again. "Will you accept my compliments upon your really admirable presence of mind." She sat erect with amazing alertness. "Morris! So you are his cousin?" she cried, for the first time allowing the full horror she felt to appear in both tone and expression. "Most unfortunate, isn't it?" he agreed. "If it had been any other man whatsoever I wouldn't have spoiled your little game. As it is, of course--well, I'm sure you will understand." "Do you really suppose I'm going to give him up quietly, simply to please you?" she demanded--then added hastily, "But we can't talk about it here." Morris raised his eyebrows. "Is there anything to discuss? Oh, I understand. Pardon my dullness. We'll make that all right. I'm not ungenerous. Where are you living? Where can I come and see you?" So he was actually taking her words to imply that she wanted money. She opened her lips, ready with an indignant denial, but stopped short. Let him labour under this delusion for the time being. It was a decided advantage. She gave him her address. "I am posing here all day," she explained. "You can come in the evening at half-past seven." "I am engaged to-night. Expect me to-morrow. I'll drop in after I've dined. Somewhere between eight and nine. I say, Evarne." "What is it?" "You won't throw the furniture at me, will you?" She found no answer for this taunt. Leaning back in the chair, she turned her head wearily away, while a couple of big tears gathered in her eyes. He was very brutal--very heartless. What was she to do, or say to him? In another minute the door had swung to behind him, and Geoff was bending over her. She looked up mournfully, while the big tears overflowed and trickled unrestrainedly down her cheeks. "It was quite useless," she murmured brokenly. "He is absolutely determined to prevent our marriage. Oh, Geoff, my dearest, I am so unhappy. What am I to do? I love you so much." CHAPTER XXXV THE STROKE OF SEKHET