"Hullo! what's this?" From the tray of tawdry jewellery, he picked up a locket with a smile to himself. Two little hearts in bright red glass, with a true lover's knot joining them together. Cheap and meretricious, the toy was saved from vulgarity by the colour which glowed like a pigeon-blood ruby. It reminded McTaggart of his own curious case--the Double Heart--surely a symbol! "There, Jill! Never say I'm not a generous man." He tossed a shilling across to the woman--and with due solemnity made his offering. "Thanks awfully." Jill's grey eyes were hidden by the dark fringe of lashes, sweeping down on to her cheeks. "I'll keep it for Court ... or wear it on my sleeve. Thank you, Peter." She slipped it in her pocket. "Hi! McTaggart!" Bethune from afar was waving to them. "Time we were off!" He shouted the warning as they hastened toward him where he stood with Roddy, still breathless from the swings. "It's awfully late..." he added apologetically. "I'm sorry to rush you--but I think we'd better start." They made for the Inn, Bethune by his friend, Roddy hanging onto his sister's arm. "We'll have to go slow when we get to Hounslow--those beastly trams spoil the run. Here we are!" He babbled on--"now, bundle in..." But Jill checked her brother, with one foot on the step. "I think I'd rather like to ride in front. D'you mind, Mr. Bethune?" She smiled up at him. "Mind? I should think not." The man looked pleased, but McTaggart's face fell at the words. "Going to desert me? You little turn-coat!--After that lovely fairing too." But Jill was settling herself beside the driver. "Rather rough on Roddy!" was all she said. The schoolboy laughed. He produced a bag, brimming over with highly coloured sweets. "Have a suck?" he said, and diving into it drew out a sugar stick, striped pink and yellow. "Thanks--no. Not just now." McTaggart's face was eloquent. "All right," said Roddy with happy unconcern. "You just tell me when you feel like it." The car trundled out between the narrow posts, and, avoiding the crowd, turned to the right; then, as the road, devoid of life, stretched straight ahead, took on speed. The noisy music faded away into darkness and silence and the rustling breeze. McTaggart drowsily closed his eyes, as the stars began to peer out of the heavens. His head sank lower, his thoughts became involved ... Then with a flash he came back to life. Awoke to find the lamps glowing about him, the hum of the traffic, the busy London streets, and, against the light, Bethune's broad back and the girl's clear profile like a silhouette. Jill was chattering, plainly absorbed. Every now and then, her companion would lean to catch a sentence broken by the wind, and a laugh would float back with the hearty ring that seemed a part of the man's honest nature. McTaggart watched them in a moody silence, still slightly piqued by Jill's desertion.