“You have no pity for me,” she said. “You play on my weakness.” “Fear makes you strong to resist,” said the man. “But love is stronger than fear.” He followed her across the room to where she stood crouching against the wall like a hunted thing. “Don’t come so close to me,” she said. “What on earth have you rung the bell for?” asked the man. “Because I ought not to be alone with you.” They stood looking into each other’s eyes. Then Clare moved quickly toward the sofa as Mollie came in. “Oh, Mollie,” said Clare, trying to steady her voice, “ask Mrs. Heywood to come in, will you? Tell her Mr. Bradshaw is here.” “Yes, ma’am,” said Mollie. “But she knows that already.” “Take my message, please,” said her mistress. “I was going to, ma’am,” said Mollie, and she added in an undertone, as she left the room, “Strange as it may appear.” Gerald laughed quite light-heartedly. “Yes, you have won the trick this time. But I hold the trump cards, Clare; and I am very lucky, as a rule. I have a gambler’s luck. Of course if the old lady comes in I shan’t stay. She hates me like poison, and I can’t be polite to her. Insincerity is not one of my vices. Good-night, dear heart. I will come to you in your dreams.” As he spoke this word, which brought a flush again to Clare Heywood’s face, Mrs. Hey-wood, her mother-in-law, came in. She glanced from one to the other suspiciously. Gerald Bradshaw was not in the least abashed by her stern face. “How do you do, Mrs. Heywood? I was just going. I hope I have not disturbed you?” Mrs. Heywood answered him in a “distant” manner: “Not in the least.” “I am glad,” he said. “I will let myself out. Don’t trouble.” At that moment there was a noise in the hall, and Clare raised her head and listened. “I think I hear another visitor,” she said. “In that ease I had better wait a moment,” said Gerald. “The halls of these flats are not cut out for two people at a time. I will light another cigarette if I may.” “I thought I heard a latchkey,” said Mrs. Heywood. “Surely it can’t he Herbert back so early?” “No, it can’t be,” said Clare. Gerald spoke more to himself than to the ladies: “I hope not.” They were all silent when Herbert Heywood came in quietly. “I didn’t go to the club after all,” he said. Then he saw Gerald Bradshaw, and his mouth hardened a little as he said, “Oh!... How do?” “How are you?” asked Gerald, in his cool way. “Been here long?” asked Herbert. “Long enough for a pleasant talk with your wife.” “Going now?” “Yes. We have finished our chat. Goodnight. I can find my way out blindfolded. All these flats are the same. Rather convenient, don’t you think?” He turned to Clare and smiled. “_Au revoir_, Mrs. Heywood.” She did not answer him, and he went out jauntily. A few moments later they heard the front door shut. “What the devil does he come here for?” growled Herbert rather sulkily. Clare ignored the question. “Why are you home so early?”