"If you want to make me forget that this is your mother's house, you're going the right way to do it," he said between his teeth. "And I don't want any of your bluff. Miss Shepstone thinks she saw you at the Comedy to-night; she'll probably write to you or try to see you in the morning, and you've got to be out of London by then--do you hear?" Ashton laughed; he shrugged his shoulders. "Must?" he said nastily. "How long have you been Lallie's champion?... Oh, all right, all right," he broke off hurriedly, as he saw the ugly light in Micky's eyes. "But it's a bit thick, you know," he resumed injuredly. "I've done with her; you know that. You sent my letter on to her yourself. It's absurd if I can't come back home for a few days in case she should see me and get upset. I'm sorry if she's still fond of me, but, dash it all----" "You haven't answered my question," said Micky again. He was controlling himself with a mighty effort, but the veins stood out like cords on his forehead and his hands were clenched. The two men looked at one another, and it was Ashton's eyes that fell. "If you're going to bullyrag me...." he began blusteringly, "I may as well tell you that I'm not going back to Paris till I please, and----" "Very well," said Micky. He turned on his heel. Raymond watched him cross the room anxiously. When he reached the door he called to him-- "Micky! What the devil are you going to do?" And Micky answered without turning-- "I'm going to tell Mrs. Clare the way you've treated Miss Shepstone, and if she's half the decent sort I think she is she'll throw you overboard as you've thrown scores of others...." Ashton followed and clutched his arm. "Come back; don't be such a firebrand! I'll go--I'll clear out by the first train to-morrow.... I'm sorry if Esther was upset, but...." Micky cut him short. "The first train leaves Victoria at 9.40; I'll be there to see you off." Ashton scowled. "It's a nice way to treat a friend," he grumbled. "If there's really anything up with Lallie ..." Micky stood like a statue. "It's decent of you to take her out," Ashton went on uneasily. "I'm much obliged to you, I'm sure. She's never had much of a time. If I'd had any money...." Micky broke out then. "Oh, hold your infernal tongue," he said furiously. He walked out of the room, shutting the door hard behind him. He passed the astonished maid in the hall and let himself out into the night. The blood was pounding in his veins, he felt in actual need of physical violence; he did not know how he had managed to keep his hands off Raymond. He walked on at a furious pace; presently he laughed with a sort of self-pity. What was the good of what he had done after all? At best he had only succeeded in staving off the inevitable for a little while; Esther would have to know sooner or later. Such wasted love it was! All for a man who was not worth one thought, or even a tear!