"That was a pretty rough way you left me in the lurch. Those actions don't get a girl very far in this business." "It was sickness." He leaned forward to pat her hand, his lids somehow seeming to thicken. "You're a queer little duck," he said, "but I like you. Always have." "Then you will, Mr. Visigoth?" "Well, let's not bother about that now." "But--" "There is quite a change taking place in these offices. My brother is coming from Chicago to take charge of the booking end and I am going out there after he comes on, and I'll see if he can use you. Let us talk about you now." "No. No. I haven't made you understand. That isn't all. I'm in immediate need. So immediate! I need as much as--as a hundred and fifty--two hundred--here, now, to-night!" "Whew!" "It is so difficult to explain, but if you would. If you could! I will work it out for you, beginning tomorrow morning. To the last penny. Two hundred dollars advance on any salary you may see fit to pay me, if you would! I'm not afraid to start small. Within a week I'll prove my value to you--that's how I'll slave for advancement. Just two hundred dollars advance on my salary--one hundred and fifty if--" "Well, well, well," he said, stropping up and down the back of her hand, "that does put a different face on things, doesn't it? I just don't know what to say." "Say yes. It is only my predicament gives me the courage to ask. But I need money, Mr. Visigoth. Need it. Need it. Now--to-night! I'll pay it back in service. I--" "Come now," he said, his eyes crinkling again. "You don't mean that, Lilly. I'm a man and you're a woman. I don't want your money." "I'll go any length for yours." "What length?" "Any--you say." He leaned forward at that and kissed down into her lips so deeply that her neck was strained backward to hurting. She sprang to her feet, wiping her hand across her mouth until her lips dragged, but trying to laugh. "You hurt." "That's what I want to do--hurt, hurt," kissing down into and crushing her lips again and again. "Oh! oh! oh!" she moaned rather than cried, pummeling at his chest. "Devil," he said, jerking her back to him until the breath jumped from her. "I--I hate you!" "Good!" "I'm not what you think I am. I hate you. I hate--sex. I--" "I don't care what I think you are. I only know that I want to be the one to wake you up to the knowledge that sex is life and life is sex. Ice maid. I don't care what you are. I know that I like you. I know that I like your lips. Give me." "Quick, then," she said, trying not to shudder. * * * * * She squirmed from him finally, pushing against him with all her strength. "Ugh. How I--I--hate--" "Gad! how I like your lips!" "Let me go now." He looked down at her through slits of eyes. "To the last cent, you said." "Yes." "Come, then," he said. "I live alone." "Please," she said, her palm pat against her mouth and looking at him with streaming eyes. "Please--not that--"