'In a lady's room? I did suggest that if he liked to step outside I should be happy to do him any little service which was in my power.' 'And what did he do?' 'Rang the bell and requested the servant to show me out.' 'And you went? You actually allowed this man to kick you out--for that was what it came to--without a word.' 'Well, my dear, Miss Bewicke called out to me as I was going down the stairs to say that she sent her love to you.' 'Guy! you dare to tell me such a thing? You allow that creature to insult me by sending such a message, or pretending to; and then you repeat her insolence to me. The little wretch! So you are ruined.' 'Not yet. There are still about four days between me and the worst.' 'Then do you propose to allow her to have you kicked out of her apartments on each of those four days? Besides insulting me? I had hardly imagined that you were that kind of person. But one learns. Well, I suppose if you don't mind, I needn't. Though I really think you might be better off if you returned to Africa before instead of afterwards.' 'That is something like the advice which Horace offered.' She sat up straighter. 'Did you also see Mr Burton last night?' 'He was waiting in the street when I came out of Miss Bewicke's. He congratulated me on the result of my visit.' 'Really, you appear to have had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Everybody seems to have had a kick at you. For my part, Guy, rather than allow people to ride over me rough-shod, as you appear disposed to do, I'd--I'd--steal the ruby.' 'You are in accordance with still another piece of advice which I received.' 'Guy! what do you mean?' He told her of his interview with Miss Casata. When he had finished she drew a long breath. 'Guy, I should do as she says.' 'Letty!' 'I should, I really should. So long as you get the ruby, no matter what happens, you can't be worse off than you will be if you don't get it. If you don't get it, you are ruined. You will have to go back to Africa and stay there for the rest of your life, or, at anyrate, till both of us are old; because you know you've no more chance of getting money there than you have here, and that's none at all. And you know you promised papa, and I promised papa, that you wouldn't marry till you had money of your own. And that doesn't mean a pound or two; it means a lot. He doesn't like to think you're marrying me for his money.' 'Letty!' 'Well, he doesn't; you know he doesn't. Of course I know you're not, or should I be sitting here talking to you now? But papa's different. And, anyhow, we promised. If there was nothing else to be gained, I'd like you to take it if only for the sake of spiting that actress creature. I'll teach her to send me messages.' 'But, my dear Letty, I fancy you don't quite realise that you are suggesting that I should commit a felony.'