The door opened, and a housemaid came in to see to the fire. "Go away, Mary," said Jessica, dreamily. "We've only got ten minutes together; we can't be interrupted." "I'm so sorry, Miss Jessica," said Mary. "I'll see that nobody else disturbs you. The fire can wait." She closed the door very softly, and went downstairs to inform the other servants that the sitting-room fire could await Miss Jessica's pleasure. "Wouldn't it be appalling, Hugh, if we really had only ten minutes and then you had to leave me to go to China or some place." "Awful!" said Hugh shortly, an expression of pain on his face. "But we needn't worry," Jessica consoled him. "We've got all the time there is, haven't we?" "Darling, we'll need it; I can't ever have enough of you." Jessica suddenly shivered. "Are you cold, my sweet?" he asked anxiously. "Not a bit. I suddenly thought of something." Jessica fell silent. "What did you think of to make you shudder like that? Tell me, darling." Hugh held her more closely, but Jessica did not answer for a moment, and when she did, she spoke jerkily and nervously. "I was thinking of that terrifying play 'Hassan.' Do you remember how the two lovers could either be free and never see each other again, or else have one night together and then die in torture? I often think of that and I know I should choose to have the night with you even if I did have to be tortured, but still it does frighten me." "Darling, don't think of it. We're fools to sit and frighten each other with idiotic impossibilities. Besides, every minute of to-day belongs to me and I insist on you being happy." Hugh spoke gaily, but as he looked down at Jessica, he saw two tears hanging on her eyelashes. "Jessica, dear," he said. "Nothing is really wrong, is it? You haven't changed your mind about marrying me, have you?" Jessica held him convulsively, and smiled, though her tears fell. "No, of course not," she said. "Nothing is wrong. I'm just a damned fool. I love you so and I get into dreadful panics about losing you and not having you any more." "I'll keep you safe, I promise," Hugh spoke earnestly. "I'll always take care of you, my only love." "I know you will, Hugh. It's all right really; I do feel safe with you. Sometimes I lose my nerve, that's all, and the other day Mother said something about not putting all my eggs in one basket." "How silly." Hugh laughed scornfully. "What would be the use of scattering them about in dozens of baskets. Besides your Mother did it herself, and very successfully too; she adores your father." Jessica sprang to her feet. "Oh, Hugh," she exclaimed conscience-stricken. "I've never seen Daddy all day, and I know he'll be feeling utterly miserable about losing me. I must go to him at once." "You're a vain creature; and anyhow, you don't want to go dashing off this minute to look for him. I'll have to go soon and you can find him then."