"This is the end of it as far as I'm concerned." She opened the secret drawer of the cabinet and stuffed in the bills. "They're safe from any sort of burglars there. But not from fire. Bank them to-morrow." "I'll not touch them." "Nor I either." III Gora threw her hat on the floor and sitting down before the table thrust her hands into her hair and tugged at the roots. "I always do this when I'm excited--which is oftener than you think. What dreams I had that first night--I got his note late and was too tired to reason, to suspect.... I just dreamed until I fell asleep. I'd start for England a week later--for England!" Goose flesh made Alexina's delicate body feel like a cold nutmeg grater. "England?" "Yes! ... ah ... you see, it's the only place where literary recognition counts for anything." "Oh? I rather thought the British authors looked upon Uncle Sam in the light of a fairy godfather. Our recognition counts for a good deal, I should say. I never thought you were snobbish." "I'm not really. Only London is a sort of Mecca for writers just as Paris is for women of fashion.... Just fancy being feted in London after you had written a successful novel." "I'd far rather receive recognition in my own country," said Alexina, elevating her classic American profile. She was not feeling in the least patriotic, however. "You'd see your friend Gathbroke, though. That would be jolly. Do take the money, Gora, and don't be a goose." "That subject's closed. Don't let me keep you. James told me that Maria is having a luncheon, and I suppose that means you are going out. I'll rest here for awhile if you don't mind." CHAPTER XVI I Mortimer went off that night and got drunk. It was the first time in his life and possibly his last, but he made a thorough job of it. He took the precaution to telephone to the house that he was going out of town, but when he returned two days later he experienced a distinct pleasure in telling Alexina what he had done. Alexina, who still hoped that she would always be able to regard Life as God's good joke, rather sympathized with him, and assured him that he would have nothing to apprehend from Gora in the future: she had no more fervent wish than to keep out of his way. II