girl, haven't I?"

She felt for his hand again, and this time he allowed it to remain
stiffly in her grasp. It was like being grudgingly recognized by
somebody very dignified who had his doubts about you but reserved
judgment.

The cab drew up at the door of the house in Ovington Square which
Jill's Uncle Christopher had settled upon as a suitable address for a
gentleman of his standing. ("In a sense, my dear child I admit, it is
Brompton Road, but it opens into Lennox Gardens, which makes it to
all intents and purposes Sloane Street") Jill put up her face to be
kissed, like a penitent child.

"I'll never be naughty again!"

For a flickering instant Derek hesitated. The drive, long as it was,
had been too short wholly to restore his equanimity. Then the sense
of her nearness, her sweetness, the faint perfume of her hair, and
her eyes, shining softly in the darkness so close to his own,
overcame him. He crushed her to him.

Jill disappeared into the house with a happy laugh. It had been a
terrible day, but it had ended well.

"The Albany," said Derek to the cabman.

He leaned back against the cushions. His senses were in a whirl. The
cab rolled on. Presently his exalted mood vanished as quickly as it
had come. Jill absent always affected him differently from Jill