“Mystery?” he put in quickly. “You’re a bit seedy, Doris. Thinkin’ too much about the war. Nothin’ mysterious about me.” He turned his head away from her again. “People don’t like my sittin’ tight--here in England,” he said more slowly, “when all the chaps I know are off to the front. I--I can’t help it. That’s all.” “But it’s so unlike you,” she pleaded. “It’s the sporting thing, Cyril.” “I want you to believe,” he put in slowly, “it isn’t the kind of sport I care for.” “I won’t believe it. I can’t. I know you better than that.” “That’s the trouble,” he insisted. “I’m afraid you don’t know me at all.” “I don’t know you tonight,” she said sadly. “It almost seems as though you were trying to get rid of me.” He clasped her tightly in his arms and kissed her gently. “God forbid,” he muttered. “Then tell me what it is that is worrying you,” she whispered. “Not a living soul shall ever know. What were the threats of exposure that passed between you and Rizzio. He can’t bear you any illwill because I chose you instead of him. I didn’t mean to listen but I couldn’t help it. What was the menace in his tone to you? What is the danger that hangs over you that puts you in his power? It’s my right to know. Tell me, Cyril. Tell me.” She felt the pressure of the arm around her relax and the sudden rigidity of his whole body as he drew away. “I think you must have been mistaken in what you say you heard,” he said evenly. “I told you that it was a personal matter--a club matter in which you couldn’t possibly be interested.” They were speaking formally now, almost as strangers. She felt the indifference in his tone and couldn’t restrain the bitterness that rose in hers. “One gentleman doesn’t threaten a club-mate with exposure in a club matter unless--unless he has done something discreditable--something dishonorable----” The Honorable Cyril bent his head. “You have guessed,” he said. “He--he is jealous. He wants to humiliate me.” She laughed miserably. “Then why did you threaten him?” “I had to defend myself.” “You! Dishonorable! I’ll have to have proofs of that. What are the papers you have that he wants? And what is there incriminating in Rizzio’s card-case? You see, I heard everything.” “What else did you hear?” he asked quickly. She drew away from him and sank back heavily in her corner. “Nothing,” she muttered. “Isn’t that enough?” It seemed to the girl as though her companion’s figure relaxed a little. And he turned toward her gently. “Don’t bother about me. I’m not worth bothering about. The worst of it is that I can’t make any explanation--at least any that will satisfy you. All I ask is that you have patience with me if you can, trust me if you can, and try to forget--try to forget what you have heard. If you should mention my conversation with Rizzio it might lead to grave consequences for him--for me.”