way to keep you off that idea--and when we grow tired of one
another, we can separate without the trouble or expense of a
divorce.'

And this heartless, cynical man of the world was the keeper into
whose hands innocent Kitty was about to commit the whole of her
future life.

After all, the fabled Sirens have their equivalent in the male sex,
and Homer's description symbolizes a cruel truth.



CHAPTER X

FRIENDS IN COUNCIL


The Wattle Tree Hotel, to which Mr McIntosh had directed Pierre, was
a quiet little public-house in a quiet street. It was far away from
the main thoroughfares of the city, and a stranger had to go up any
number of quiet streets to get to it, and turn and twist round
corners and down narrow lanes until it became a perfect miracle how
he ever found the hotel at all.

To a casual spectator it would seem that a tavern so difficult of
access would not be very good for business, but Simon Twexby, the
landlord, knew better. It had its regular customers, who came there
day after day, and sat in the little back parlour and talked and
chatted over their drinks. The Wattle Tree was such a quiet haven of