"Oh, yes, I can do that," said the other easily. "You talk of your love for her; you know you might strive all your days, you poor beggar, and never come nearer her heart; might spend every farthing you have in the world on her, and she would scarcely feel grateful to you. That's where I've got the pull of you. She's grateful to me if she can win a smile from me at any hour of the day; she's so wrapped up in me that the simple words 'my dear,' flung carelessly to her, are more to her than the most impassioned love-speech could be from you or any one else. I don't know what it is"--he went on with a laugh, tossing his hair back from his forehead--"but I have that power over women; I may even flout and insult them, and, by God! I think they like me the better for it.--Well, I don't see the fun of risking starvation if it can be avoided, and, after all, you're pretty safe. I'll go back to London; but mind, I hold you to your word. If you care so much for her happiness, by the Lord, you shall pay for it!" "I'll pay you what you like," said Comethup quietly. "But one word more: what brought you over here? Who's the woman?" "What a dear old moralist you are!" exclaimed Brian, laughing. "I suppose you're afraid I may be deserting some one else, eh? Well, let me tell you for your comfort that she's rich; that she's taken a fancy to me, held up a beckoning finger, and I--well, I followed. I dare say she'd have dropped me in a month or two, when she found that her poet was like most other men, so perhaps it's as well that you've rescued me. And, when I come to think of it, it will be quite in keeping with my character that I should rush away at a moment's notice, without even an apology. You see, we poor devils are always supposed to do the most unexpected things--never anything proper or regular, you know. Upon my word, now I come to think of it, this will be better than dangling after her. She'll think all the more highly of me." "Let us hope so," said Comethup. "Now, as I think we understand each other clearly, I'll leave you; I'll come to you in time for us to catch the train. I must get my things from the hotel." He moved toward the door, hesitated a moment, and then came back again. "On second thoughts, I _won't_ leave you. Pack up your things and come with me now; we can dine together." "I see, you don't trust me?" said Brian with a sneer. "Frankly, I don't; you've scarcely given me reason to do so. And the game is too desperate for me to run any risks." Brian shrugged his shoulders and began to get his things together. He stopped once or twice and glanced rebelliously at his cousin; but Comethup sat on the side of the bed, with his hands on his hips, looking steadily at him--a figure not to be reasoned with, or argued out of anything he had determined upon.