"Not at all," he said severely. "People _never_ admit that sort of thing, you know. But certainly it isn't asking too much of you to act tired and listless, and a _little_ distracted, is it? She'll ask what's the matter, and you simply say you're afraid you're going to have a nervous breakdown or--or--" "Or paresis," she supplied. "Whatever you like," he said promptly. "Now you _will_ do this for me, won't you? You don't know what it will mean to me to feel that she is safe here with you." "I will do my best," she said, for she loved him dearly--and the girl that he loved dearly too. "Hurray!" he shouted,--and kissed her! "Don't be foolish," she cried out. "You've tumbled my hair, and Julia had a terrible time with it tonight." "When will you tackle--see her, I mean?" he asked, sitting down abruptly and drawing his chair a little closer. "The first time she comes in to see me," she replied firmly, "and not before. You must not demand too much of a sick, collapsible old lady, you know. Give me time,--and a chance to get my bearings." He drew a long breath. "I seem to be getting my own for the first time in days." She hesitated. "Of course, it is all very quixotic,--and most unselfish of you, Lord Temple. Not every man would do as much for a girl who--well, I'll not say a girl who is going to be married before long, because I'd only be speculating,--but for a girl, at any rate, who can never be expected to repay. I take it, of course, that Lady Jane is never, under any circumstances to know that you are the real paymaster." "She must never know," he gasped, turning a shade paler. "She would hate me, and--well, I couldn't stand that, you know." "And you will not repent when the time comes for her to marry?" "I'll--I'll be miserably unhappy, but--but, you will not hear a whimper out of me," he said, his face very long. "Spoken like a hero," she said, and again she laughed, apparently without reason. "Some one is coming. Will you stay?" "No; I'll be off, Marchioness. You don't know how relieved I am. I'll drop in tomorrow some time to see what she says,--and to arrange with you about the money. Good night!" He kissed her hand, and turned to McFaddan, who had entered the room. "Call a taxi for me, McFaddan." "Very good, sir." "Wait! Never mind. I'll walk or take a street car." To the Marchioness: "I'm beginning right now," he said, with his gayest smile. In the foyer he encountered Cricklewick. "Pleasant evening, Cricklewick," he said. "It is, your lordship. Most agreeable change, sir." "A bit soft under foot." "Slushy, sir," said Cricklewick, obsequiously. CHAPTER XI WINNING BY A NOSE MRS. SMITH-PARVIS, having received the annual spring announcement from Juneo & Co., repaired, on an empty Thursday, to the show-rooms and galleries of the little Italian dealer in antiques.