He pulled forward an arm-chair, and she sat down with a nervous feeling that she was about to face a difficult situation. He relaxed into his favourite position, lounging against the table, his hands deep in his pockets. "I want a word with you about Hunt-Goring," he said. She looked up startled. "What about him?" "He was here to-day, wasn't he?" proceeded Max. "Yes. He came to see Violet." Max grunted. "I suppose you know his little game?" Olga's eyes widened. "No, I don't. What is it?" He looked at her for a moment or two in silence. "Do you really imagine that you succeed in effacing yourself when you hide behind the beautiful Miss Campion?" he asked then. The quick colour rose in her face. "What an absurd question!" she said. "Why absurd?" "As if anyone could possibly prefer me to Violet!" "I know at least two who do," said Max. "Who?" She flung the question almost angrily, as though she uttered it against her will. Very deliberately he answered her. "Hunt-Goring and myself." She started. Her face was burning now. Desperately she strove to cover her confusion, or at least to divert his attention from it. "I am quite sure Major Hunt-Goring doesn't! He--he wouldn't be so silly!" "We are neither of us that," remarked Max with a twist of the lips that was hardly a smile. "I suppose you don't feel inclined to tell me exactly what the fellow's hold over you is." "You said you didn't want to know!" she flashed back. Max's green eyes were regarding her very intently. She resented their scrutiny hotly, but she could not bring herself to challenge it. "Quite so, fair lady, I did," he responded imperturbably. "But as this affair has developed into something of the nature of a duel between the gallant major and myself it might be as well, for your sake as much as mine, that I should know what sort of ground I am standing on." "A duel!" echoed Olga. He smiled a little. "Hunt-Goring has no intention of letting you stay engaged to me if he can by any means prevent it." "Oh, Max!" She met his look for an instant. "But--but--what can it really matter to him--one way or the other?" "I conclude he wants you for himself," said Max. She turned suddenly white. "He doesn't! He couldn't! Max!" She turned to him almost imploringly. "He doesn't really want me! It's not possible!" "I should say he wants you very much indeed," said Max. "But you needn't be scared on that account. He isn't going to have you." That reassured her somewhat. She essayed a shaky laugh. "You'll think me a shocking coward," she said. "But--do you know, I'm horribly frightened at him." "Are you frightened at me too?" Max enquired unexpectedly. She shook her head without looking at him. "Quite sure?" he persisted. She raised her eyes with a feeling that he must be convinced of this at all costs. "Of course I'm not," she said.