The diplomatist bowed, and seated himself near the table, whereat Askew, devoured by a desire for further confidences, fumed, with depressed eyebrows and twisted mouth. Lady Jim rang for fresh tea, listening meanwhile to Aksakoff discussing the safe subject of the weather. Occasionally she glanced with amusement at her victim, who by this time did not know his own mind, and certainly was incapable of analysing his very complicated feelings. She bewildered him; he was not master of himself in her presence, and alternately quailed and rebelled under her spells. Flight from Circe was his wisest plan. "Must you?" inquired Lady Jim, winningly, at the first movement. "Must what, please," he asked sulkily, settling down again. "Must you go? I see you must. So sorry. Good-bye." "I do not want to----" "To be bored. Naturally; a widow is but dull company. Please do not leave us in the dark. The button is on the right-hand side of the door. No; that is wrong!" She rose and switched on the light herself. "That is better! Don't you think it is? So good of you to come and cheer me!" Then, dropping her voice, "Paris?" "I shall cross on Wednesday," he murmured; "then we can resume our conversation." "What pleasure you promise me!" she retorted; and, closing the door, came back to the waiting diplomatist, yawning daintily. "Excuse me, M. Aksakoff: I have just ended a bad quarter of an hour." "That young man, madame?" "The same. He wants to marry me. Shocking, isn't it, seeing that I scarcely know how to pose as a widow?" "But natural on his part, surely." "How nicely you pay compliments! By the way," sliding away from the subject, "your daughter was here. She has gone off somewhere with your friend, M. Demetrius." Aksakoff frowned. "It is kind of you to enlarge my circle of acquaintance, madame. I presume you desire to speak of this gentleman?" Leah raised her eyebrows. "No; why should I?" "Our conversation at Monte Carlo----" "Did we converse? So we did! Something about a sunset, wasn't it?" The diplomatist became unworthy of the name, through sheer irritation. "Can we not drop our masks, madame?" "I never knew that we wore such things," said Lady Jim, lightly. "I am sure I do not. Why should I?" "But you sent for me." Leah placed her elbows on the table, and the tips of her fingers together. "I did, to ask you for some letters to nice people in Paris." "Ah!" His face lighted up. "You go to Paris?" "My good friend, have I not said so? And the letters?" "I shall be delighted"; Aksakoff was now beginning to understand the necessity of reading between the remarks. "But are letters necessary? I hope to be in Paris myself next week." "How delightful! You will be able to amuse me. Do not look shocked. I assure you I only wish to drown my grief." "Of course," assented Aksakoff, dryly; then added, with a significance she ignored: "Do you go alone to Paris?"