She drew her hand away quickly, interrupting him with a laugh that
rang true as a coin new from the mint, honest and genuine.

"And this," she cried, "this from Dan Anisty! Positively, sir, you
are delightful! You grow more dangerously original every minute!
Your scruples, your consideration, your sympathy--they are
touching--in _you_!" She wagged her head daintily in pretense
of disapprobation. "But shall I tell you?" more seriously,
doubtfully. "I think I shall ... truly. I do this sort of thing,
since you must know, because--_imprimis_, because I like it.
Indeed and I do! I like the danger, the excitement, the exercise
of cunning and--and I like the rewards, too. Besides----"

The corners of her adorable mouth drooped ever so slightly.

"Besides----?"

"Why.... But this is not business! We must hurry. Will you, or
shall I----?"

A crisis had been passed; Maitland understood that he must wait
until a more favorable time to renew his importunities.

"I will," he said, dropping on his knees by the safe. "In my
lady's service!"

"Not at all," she interposed. "I insist. The job is now yours;
yours must be the profits."