As he spoke these words there was the sound of a bell ringing through the flat, and the noise of it struck terror into Clare Heywood. “Go away,” she whispered. “For God’s sake go! Some one is ringing.” “I will cross the bar again,” said Bradshaw. “But I shall be waiting at the door. You will not be very long, little one?” Clare sank down with her face in her hands. And Gerald stole away from the window just as Mollie showed in Madge Vernon. “It’s our At Home night,” said Mollie, as she came in, “and they’ll be here presently.” “All right, Mollie,” said Miss Vernon, smiling. “I shan’t stay more than a minute. I know I have come at an awkward time.” “She _would_ come in, ma’am,” said Mollie, as though she were not strong enough to thwart such a determined visitor. As soon as the girl had gone Madge Vernon came across to Clare, very cheerfully and rather excitedly. “Clare, are you coming?” “Coming where?” asked Clare, trying to hide her agitation. “To the demonstration,” said Madge Vernon. “You know I told you all about it! It begins at eight. It will be immense fun, and after your window-smashing exploit you are one of us. Good Heavens, I think you have beaten us all. None of us have ever thought of breaking our own windows.” “It’s my At Home night,” said Clare. “Oh, bother the At Home. Can’t your husband look after his friends for once? I wanted you to join in this adventure. It would be your enrolment in the ranks, and it will do you a lot of good, in your present state of health.” “In any case----” said Clare. “What?” Clare smiled in a tragic way. “I have received a previous invitation.” “Oh, drat the invitation.” “Of course I should have liked to come,” said Clare, “but----” Madge Vernon was impatient with her. “But what? I hate that word ‘but.’” “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,” said Clare, speaking with a deeper significance than appeared in the words. “There is no weakness about you. You have the courage of your convictions. Have you had the window mended yet?” She laughed gaily and then listened with her head a little on one side to the sound of a bell ringing in the hall. “That must be Herbert,” said Clare. “I think you had better go.” “Yes, I think I had better,” said Madge, laughing again. “If looks could kill----” She went toward the door and opened it, but I stood on the threshold looking back. “Won’t you come? Eight o’clock, you know.” Clare smiled weakly. “I am in great demand to-night.” The two women listened to Herbert’s voice in the hall saying-- “Of course all the shops were shut.” “Oh, Lord!” said Madge, “I must skedaddle.” She went out of the room hurriedly, leaving Clare alone. And after a moment or two Clare spoke aloud, with her hands clasped upon her breast. “I wonder if the Devil is tempting me tonight?” she said. Then Herbert entered with two whisky bottles. “I had to hunt all over the place,” he said.