“It’s strange, but you know I’m not a bit afraid of you. And the other evening when the rest of us couldn’t do a thing with Leila she chose you to take her home. You have a way of inspiring confidence. Shep picks you out, when he hardly knows you, for confidential talks. I’ve been trying to analyze your--fascinations.” “Oh, come now! Your husband thought I might help him in a small perplexity--purely professional. Nothing to that! And your young sister-in-law was cross at the rest of you that day at Mrs. Torrence’s and out of pique chose me to take her home.” “But _I_ trust you!” “Maybe you shouldn’t!” “Well, that afternoon you caught me out here with Mr. Whitford I knew you wouldn’t tell on me. George was a trifle nervous about it. I told him you were the soul of discretion.” “But--I didn’t see you! I didn’t see you at all! I’m blind in both eyes and I can be deaf and dumb when necessary!” “Oh, I knew you wouldn’t rush over town telling on me! It’s really not that! It’s because I knew you wouldn’t that I’m wondering what--_what_--it is that makes even your acquaintances feel that they can rely on you. You know you’re quite a wonderful person. Leila and Millicent were talking about you only yesterday. Not schoolgirl twaddle, but real appreciation!” “That’s consoling! I’m glad of their good opinion. But you--what did _you_ say?” “Oh, I said I thought you were disagreeable and conceited and generally unpleasant!” She turned toward him with her indolent laugh. “You _know_ I wouldn’t say anything unkind of you.” This in so low a tone that it was necessary for him to bend his head to hear. His cheek touched the furry edge of her hat thrillingly. “It seems strange, our being together this way,” she said. “I wish we hadn’t a destination. I’d like to go right on--and on----” “That would be all right as long as the gas held out!” “You refuse to take me seriously!” “I seem doomed to say the wrong thing to you! You’ll have to teach me how to act and what to say.” “But I’d rather be the pupil! There are many things you could teach me!” “Such as----” “There’s always love!” she replied softly, lingering upon the word; and again it was necessary to bend down to hear. She lifted her face; he felt rather than saw her eyes meeting his. Her breath, for a fleeting instant on his cheek, caused him to give hurried consideration to the ancient question whether a woman who is willing should be kissed or whether delicate ethical questions should outweigh the desirability of the kiss prospective. He kissed her--first tentatively on the cheek and then more ardently on the lips. She made no protest; he offered no apology. Both were silent for some time. When she spoke it was to say, with serene irrelevance: “How smoothly your car runs! It increases my respect for the Plantagenet.” “Oh, it’s very satisfactory; some of Bud’s claims for it are really true!”