She gave him a swift glance.

"Please do!" she murmured.

"This letter," he said, and he held it out to her.

"I should like it torn up--very small."

She took the envelope and hesitated. Durant was watching her. There was
unmistakable mastery in his eyes.

"Go on!" he said briefly.

And with a quick, startled movement, she obeyed. The letter fluttered
around them both in tiny fragments. Hugh Durant looked on with a hard,
impassive face, as he might have looked on at an execution.

The girl's hands were shaking. She glanced at him once or twice
uncertainly.

When the work of destruction was accomplished she made him a nervous
curtsey and turned to go.

Durant's face softened a second time into a smile.

"Thank you--Molly," he said, and he put his hand to his hat though she
was not looking at him.

And afterwards he stood among the fragments of his letter and watched
till both the girl and the dog were out of sight.