 subsequently recurred several times to that young lady. The
journalist allowed himself to enter into detail, and Alice almost ceased
talking.
    It drew on to half-past nine. Mr. Keene never exceeded discretion in the
hours of his visits. He looked at his watch and rose.
    »I may call at nine?« he said.
    »If you really have time. But I can manage quite well by myself, you know.«
    »What you can do is not the question. If I had my will you should never know
a moment's trouble as long as you lived.«
    »If I never have worse trouble than going to the railway station, I shall
think myself lucky.«
    »Miss Mutimer -«
    »Yes?«
    »You won't drop me altogether from your mind whilst you're away?«
    There was a change in his voice. He had abandoned the tone of excessive
politeness, and spoke very much like a man who has feeling at the back of his
words. Alice regarded him nervously.
    »I'm not going to be away more than a day or two,« she said, smoothing a
fold in her dress.
    »If it was only an hour or two I couldn't bear to think you'd altogether
forgotten me.«
    »Why, of course I shan't!«
    »But - Miss Mutimer, I'm abusing confidence. Your brother trusts me; he's
done me a good many kindnesses. But I can't help it, upon my soul. If you betray
me, I'm done for. You won't do that'? I put myself in your power, and you're too
good to hurt a fly.«
    »What do you mean, Mr. Keene?« Alice asked, inwardly pleased, yet feeling
uncomfortable.
    »I can't go away to-night without saying it, and ten to one it means I shall
never see you again. You know what I mean. Well, harm me as you like; I'd rather
be harmed by you than done good to by any one else. I've got so far, there's no
going back. Do you think some day you could - do you think you could?«
    Alice dropped her eyes and shook her pretty head slowly.
    »I can't give any promise of that kind,« she replied under her breath.
    »You hate me? I'm a disagreeable beast to you? I'm a low -
