way about together; then I shall only come with you when you choose
to invite me. You have my address."

He rose and broke off the dialogue.

For a week or more Eve's behaviour in his company underwent little
change. In health she decidedly improved, but Hilliard always found
her reserved, coldly amicable, with an occasional suggestion of
forced humility which he much disliked. From Patty he learnt that
she went about a good deal and seemed to enjoy herself.

"We don't always go together," said the girl. "Yesterday and the day
before Eve was away by herself all the afternoon. Of course she can
get on all right with her French. She takes to Paris as if she'd
lived here for years."

On the day after, Hilliard received a postcard in which Eve asked
him to be in a certain room of the Louvre at twelve o'clock. He kept
the appointment, and found Eve awaiting him alone.

"I wanted to ask whether you would mind if we left the hotel and
went to live at another place?"

He heard her with surprise.

"You are not comfortable?"

"Quite. But I have been to see my friend Mdlle. Roche--you
remember. And she has shown me how we can live very comfortably at a
quarter of what it costs now, in the same house where she has a