"We can always treat it as idle gossip, you know," said Max. "Imminent but not actual--the sort of thing over which we blush demurely and say nothing." She smiled in spite of herself. "It's very good of you," she said with feeling. "Not a bit," said Max. "I shall enjoy it. I think it ought to put an effectual stop to all unwelcome amenities on his part. We'll try it anyhow." He released her hand, and resumed his darning, still looking quizzical. Olga lingered, dubiously reminding herself that only a few hours before she had distrusted this man whom circumstance now made her champion. "Scissors, please!" said Max. She gave them to him absently. He held out the unsevered wool, his eyes laughing at her over it. "You can do the cutting," he said. She complied, and in the same instant she met his look. "Max," she said rather breathlessly, "I--don't quite like it." "All right," he said imperturbably. "Don't do it!" She paused, looking at him almost imploringly. "You're sure it won't mean anything?" "It can mean as much or as little as you like," said Max. "I didn't mean--quite that," faltered Olga. "But--it won't be--it never could be--like a real engagement; could it?" "Like, yet unlike," said Max. "It will be a sort of elastic and invisible bond, made to stretch to the utmost limit, never breaking of itself, though capable of being severed by either party at a moment's notice." Olga drew a breath of relief. "If that is really all--" "What more could the most exacting require?" said Max. What indeed! Yet the phrase struck Olga somehow as being not wholly satisfactory. Perhaps even then, vaguely she began to realize that the species of bond he described might prove the most inviolable of all. But she raised no further argument, doubts notwithstanding; for, in face of his assurance, there seemed nothing left to say. CHAPTER IX THE PROJECT The sound of Nick's cheery, untuneful humming seemed to invest all things with a more normal and wholesome aspect. Olga went to meet him with unfeigned delight. He put his arm around her, flashing a swift look over her as he did it. "Well, Olga _mia_. I trust there has been no more bickering in my absence." "No, I've made friends with Max," she said. "Come and have tea!" He went through the house with her to the garden where tea awaited him. Max was seated alone beside the little table under the trees. "You're not a very large party," commented Nick. "Best we can do under the circumstances," said Max. "The kids are still paper-chasing, and Miss Campion, overcome by the heat, has retired to bed. I propose to follow her example if the company will excuse me. I only put in two hours last night, and may have to attend another case to-night. Here, Ratcliffe, you can have my chair." "Are you coming down to dinner?" asked Olga. "I am," he said. "Because you needn't. I can send it up." "Thanks! I'll come down," said Max.