Oh, one day, the usual headache; not at home the next—the proper thing. But, Jack dear, I never felt the slightest fear of _you_—and that’s what makes an end like this so cruel, so intolerably cruel. JOHN. Never felt the slightest fear of me——? THEOPHILA. No, never; oh, of course, a woman can tell. Somehow, I knew—I knew you _couldn’t_ be a black-guard. JOHN. [_About to seize her hand, but restraining himself._] God bless you! God bless you! [_He walks away and pokes the fire vigorously, hitting the coal triumphantly._] Ah, ha, ha! [_Turning to_ THEOPHILA.] I beg your pardon; you’re in the most uncomfortable chair in the room. [_She rises and crosses the room._ JOHN. [_Arranging the pillows on the settee._] You must be so weary, too. I’m confoundedly stupid and forgetful to-night. THEOPHILA. [_Sitting on the settee._] Fancy! a fire in June! JOHN. [_Walking about elatedly, dividing his glances between_ THEOPHILA _and the library_.] I love to see a fire. THEOPHILA. [_Suddenly._] Of course. [_Dropping her voice._] I remember. [_He stops, staring at her._] Do you recollect? [_Steadily gazing into the fire._] That night when we were sitting over the fire in that little room in Lennox Gardens—— JOHN. [_Hastily._] Oh, yes, yes—— THEOPHILA. “I shall always burn a fire, Theo,” you said, “to bring back these nights, these soothing, precious talks in the quiet hours. Wherever I may be, I shall only have to light my fire to hear you and to see you—to see you sitting facing me——” JOHN. Ah, that evening—yes, I was terribly—terribly down that evening [_Wiping his brow._] By-the-bye, we—we mustn’t neglect the—the—the matter of business—the little matter of business—— THEOPHILA. [_Rousing herself._] Matter of——? JOHN. The matter of business you mention in your letter—— THEOPHILA. [_Rising._] Oh, yes. [_Sitting on the left of the centre table._] Jack, I—I do hope you won’t hate me for asking you. You see, if I went to any one else, I should run a chance of having all my arrangements upset. I—I want to borrow a little money—— JOHN. Ah, yes, certainly—anything—I shall be most happy—— THEOPHILA.