opposition weakened.

"Perhaps. But--let me decide, Desire."

"Shan't!" said Desire, like a naughty child.

Fire leapt from the chill grey of his eyes.

"Very well, then--"

He took it so quickly that Desire gasped. Then she laughed. She
had never had anything taken from her by force since her childhood
and it was an astonishing experience. Also, she had not dreamed that
Benis was so strong. It hadn't been at all difficult. And this in
spite of the fact that she had clung to the substituted photo-graph
with convincing stubbornness.

"Well--now you've got it, I hope you like it," she said a little
breathlessly. Her eyes were sparkling. She did not know what photo
she had picked up when she dropped the real one. 'Probably it was a
picture of Aunt Caroline herself or of some dear and departed
Spence. Benis would have some difficulty in tracing the cause of the
tears he had surprised. Fortunately he could always see a joke on
himself. It would be funny . . .

But it did not seem to be funny. Benis was not laughing. He had gone
quite grey.

"What is it, Benis?" in a startled tone. "You see it was just a
mistake? I was crying because--because I was sorry you were not