Beatrice started to her feet. "Is he not ill?" "He never was better in all his life. Pardon the ruse that was used to bring you here, but I knew well that you wouldn't come of your own free will." "Allow me to go away," said Beatrice, walking towards the door, "When we have had a talk and understand one another--not before," said Ruck, rising and standing before the fireplace. He was still smiling and bland and genial, and looked very spruce in his well-cut clothes. It was difficult to imagine such a man in such a room, when one recollected the vile neighbourhood. "You will not dare to detain me against my will?" "Oh yes, if it be necessary," said Ruck easily; "but I trust"--with a graceful bow--"that it will not be necessary." "If you keep me here, my landlady in Kensington has the address of this place and will tell the police." "I fear the police will waste their time, Miss Hedge. The address was a wrong one, with which Waterloo was purposely furnished." "The address was Stepney----" "But not Malta Street. This is in a different locality. Come, Miss Hedge, you must see that you are in my power. But I am a gentleman, so do not be afraid." "Afraid!" The sound of the word made Beatrice fling back her head with a proud gesture. "I am afraid of nothing and no one, Major Ruck. I know how to protect myself." "I hope you will know how to protect Mr. Paslow." "What do you mean?" "That can be explained after tea. Do pour out the tea, Miss Hedge; it is so pleasant to see a lady officiate." Beatrice deliberately walked to the table and poured out a cup of tea for the Major, which she handed to him along with a plate of delicate cakes. "Will you not take one yourself?" said Ruck winningly; "it is not drugged." Beatrice, although her heart was beating loudly, walked back to the table with a gay laugh. "You do not give me time," she said. "I am not at all afraid of drugs," and she filled herself a cup which she sipped with great enjoyment. When she also began to eat a cake, the Major smacked his leg with a look of admiration. "Upon my word, Miss Hedge, you are plucky and no mistake. I wish you would marry me." "Thanks; but I have no wish to." "We should do great things together," urged Ruck. "Doubtless; but you see I have an aversion to appearing in a police-court, Major Ruck. By the way, why did you not tell me that Mr. Paslow had appeared in one?" "I very nearly did," said Ruck with great frankness, "as I thought it might frighten you into refusing him. But then I thought it would be better to send his wife along." "Is she really his wife?" asked Beatrice doubtfully. "Really and truly. Paslow always was a moral man. You can never marry him now." "No. But I can always love him." "The shadow without the substance," said Ruck, with a shrug; "you will find that unsatisfactory, Miss Hedge." "That is entirely my affair, Major. And why don't you give me my proper name of Miss Hall?"