Then she jumped up and took his hands in hers softly. "You must be very good to me, Francis, dear, for I’m simple and ignorant compared to the women you’ve known, I suppose. But I’m a woman, after all. I don’t want to be worshiped. I want the tenderness of an honest man’s love, such as other women have. I want my divine birthright. I’ve been aloof from men all my life. That doesn’t make me any less desirable, does it? I’ve never met a man who answered my demands. You do, or you will before I’m through with you. Don’t think I’m going to be all moonshine and vapors. I’m going to love you till stars dance in the heavens! That’s what you get for wakening me, my friend! I’ve been asleep, floating in dreams. I want a man’s strength and chivalry and audacity and vigor and romance, instead of the painted shadows I’ve known. Aren’t you afraid of me?" She dropped her head to his shoulder. He needed no further hint. He put away her halo and her crown, he drew the ermine from her, and the vision in her eyes was made manifest. But it was still too new for her to more than sip at the cup of delight; she would take her happiness by epicurean inches. So she slid away and evaded him, putting the chair half-mockingly between them. "My father has forbidden me to come down here to see you," she said. "It’s really quite romantic. But of course I told him I should come, nevertheless, so we can’t quite call it clandestine. He’ll never dare ask me if I’ve been here. He’s quite afraid of me, when I insist upon having my own way." "Have you said anything about Madam Spoll and Vixley to him?" "Yes, but that’s no use. They certainly seem to have given him some wonderful tests—I don’t see how they could have done so well—and he’s absolutely convinced. I don’t see what we can do, unless we wait for them to go too far and arouse his suspicions. I can’t think he’s feeble-minded. They’re making him pay, though that’s the least of the matter." "I have had an idea that I might get hold of one of the gang—a Doctor Masterson—and induce him to sell them out. He’s a turncoat, and if he only knows enough about their game he could be bribed." "I must leave it to you, Francis. I don’t like that method, exactly, but we must do what we can. Perhaps it will settle itself. We can do nothing yet, at any rate. To-day I’ve come down to ask you to invite me to lunch, please!" "With pleasure—only, if I must confess—I don’t know that I can offer you a very good one. Wait I’ll see how much money I have left." He felt doubtfully in his pocket, and added, "Oh, that’s all right, we can go to the Palace." Clytie was instantly suspicious. "How much have you?" "Quite enough." "Answer me, sir!" "About twelve dollars." She gasped. "Do you mean to say that’s _all_ you have left?" "Everything. But my rent is paid for a month in advance." "Have you any debts?" "Naturally. Two hundred dollars or so, that’s all."