"I love him ... oh, I love him ... but he's a devil." "Did he know?--did he love you?" "Yes, he loved me ... and he made me give up everything for his sake ... and now he's going to marry another woman ... Oh, Lenny, Lenny, I want Nigel!" "Janey--don't--I simply can't bear this. Don't give way so--he isn't worth it." "Oh, I knew you'd say that." "I won't say it if you don't like it. But don't be in despair--you'll soon feel better--you'll get over it. And meantime there's Nigel and me...." "Oh, I want Nigel!" "I'll wire to him to come down for the week-end, after his concert." "Lenny ... you'll never forsake me?" "What on earth are you talking about?" "I don't expect--I daren't----" "What do you mean?" "The disgrace ..." He stared at her in bewilderment. "Oh, Lenny ... I don't think you understand." She had made him understand at last--and in the process had strangely enough recovered something of her self-control. At first she had thought his brain could never receive this ghastly new impression; but gradually she had seen the colour fade from his lips, while a terrible sternness crept into his eyes; she had seen his hand go up to his forehead with the swift yet uncertain movement of one who has been smitten. "My God!" Leonard stepped back from the bed. She lay gazing at him like a drowning woman. She saw the stern lines of his mouth--had girls any right to expect their brothers to forgive them such things? Yet if Lenny turned from her ... if she lost not only Quentin but the boys.... For a moment there was silence in the little room, with its faded reds and casement open to the fields. Then suddenly Leonard sprang forward, stooped, and caught Janey in his arms, turning her face to his breast. They clung together in silence, both trembling. The first faint wind of the evening crept in and ruffled their hair. "You won't love me so much now." "I will love you more--but, by God! I'll kill that man!" "No--no!--Len, no!" "Hush, dear, don't get excited again." "But you must promise ... he--he's only a boy." "Boy be damned! He's a skunk--he's a loathly little reptile, that's all. He isn't worthy to sweep out your cinders, and he--oh, God, Janey! I'd give my life to-morrow for the privilege of wringing his neck to-night." "Len, promise me you won't hurt him--I--I shall die if you do." "Well, I'll promise to leave him alone for the present, because I've got you to look after. I want you to go to sleep, dear. Do you think you could sleep?" "I'm sure I couldn't." "You could if I mixed you some nice hot brandy and water. Let me go downstairs and get some." "Oh, Lenny--I'm frightened of being alone." "But it won't take me a minute--the kettle's on the fire." The combined longing for a stimulant and for oblivion was too intense for Janey to resist. "You're sure you won't be long?" "Yes--I promise--just down and up again." "Then thank you, Len."