“Why, of course, I did. And I mean to. We’ll be married by that time. Now, don’t say _no_. Just give me a show to prove what ought to need no urging on my part to make you see. If we are married hard and fast there’ll be no back talk coming from Jarvis or anybody else. Can’t you see that, dear? I dare say the fellow is only waiting for a good excuse to demand his money back, and we’ll give it to him. Come, sweetheart, let me put this ring on your dear little finger, and next month I’ll add another of a different sort. Then I’ll be in a position to talk business with old Jarvis, or his client, whoever he is. I’ll say, ‘Here’s your money, sir,’ short and sharp; ‘take it or leave it, as suits you best. My wife doesn’t go out to service with any man.’ That’s my sensible girl!” He would have drawn her again into his arms. But she resisted him tensely. “You don’t understand, David, and you must understand,” she said slowly. “I—promised I wouldn’t—till——” “You promised! Who in the devil did you promise? You promised me, and I’m going to hold you to it.” “No; not till after I was bound, and I—only promised you conditionally. Don’t you remember, David?” “I only remember what I choose to remember,” he said superciliously. “And all I know, or care to know, at the present moment, is that you’re mine—mine, Barbara! Haven’t I waited for years and suffered—Barbara!” His voice vibrated with passion; he reached out for her hungrily, irresistibly, and held her fast in the clasp of one powerful arm, while with the other he sought for her elusive hand. “One finger is just as good as another for me,” he laughed as he slipped the ring into place. “There! Isn’t that handsome?” But she hid her troubled eyes against his shoulder. “Not on my ugly brown hand, David,” she murmured. “And I cannot wear it—yet. I promised.” “That’s twice you’ve mentioned the fact that you promised,” he said, scowling. “Did Jarvis have the brazen nerve to come between you and me with any of his cut and dried legal business?” “He—reminded me of my contract. He said——” “Well, I’ll fix that up with Jarvis. Say, do you know he makes me tired? I told him we were engaged, and if he had any such line of talk to pass out he might have come to me. I’m the one for him to do business with from now on, and I’ll let him know it, too.” He released her, suddenly. “You can do as you like about the ring,” he said in an offended tone. “Most girls would jump at the chance to wear a two-hundred-dollar diamond. I’ll chuck it into the waste-basket, if you say so.” “Oh, David!” breathed Barbara, “did you spend all that money—just for me?” “Yes, I did; and I supposed you’d be pleased. I never dreamed you’d refuse to wear it.” “But—it isn’t that I don’t love you,” she faltered. “Indeed I——” “Well, if you love me, you’ll do as I say,” interrupted David, with an arrogant toss of his handsome head. “Will you, Barbara?” “I will in everything but—you know, dear, I—I can’t.”