‘Yes, of course I shall give in,’ said Wallace, with smiling decision.  ’If you don’t want me to, suppose you take the responsibility.  I’ve known you do difficult things before; you manage somehow to get your own way without offending people.’

‘H’m,’ said Kendal; ‘I don’t know whether that’s flattering or not.’  He began to walk up and down the room again cogitating.  ’I don’t mind trying,’ he said at last, ’in a very gingerly way.  I can’t, of course, undertake to be brutal.  It would be impossible for any one to treat her roughly.  But there might be ways of doing it.  There’s time to think over the best way of doing it.  Supposing, however, she took offence?  Supposing, after Sunday next, she never speaks to either of us again?’

‘Oh!’ said Wallace, wincing, ’I should give up the play at once if she really took it to heart.  She attaches one to her.  I feel towards her as though she were a sister—­only more interesting, because there’s the charm of novelty.’

Kendal smiled.  ’Miss Bretherton hasn’t got to that yet with me.  Sisters, to my mind, are as interesting as anybody, and more so.  But how on earth, Wallace, have you escaped falling in love with her all this time?’

‘Oh, I had enough of that last year,’ said Wallace abruptly, rising and looking for his overcoat, while his face darkened; ’it’s an experience I don’t take lightly.’

Kendal was puzzled; then his thoughts quickly put two and two together.  He remembered a young Canadian widow who had been a good deal at Mrs. Stuart’s house the year before; he recalled certain suspicions of his own about her and his friend—­her departure from London and Wallace’s long absence in the country.  But he said nothing, unless there was sympathy in the cordial grip of his hand as he accompanied the other to the door.

On the threshold Wallace turned irresolutely.  ’It will be a risk next Sunday,’ he said; ’I’m determined it shan’t be anything more.  She is not the woman, I think, to make a quarrel out of a thing like that.’

‘Oh no,’ said Kendal; ’keep your courage up.  I think it may be managed.  You give me leave to handle Elvira as I like.’

‘Oh heavens, yes!’ said Wallace; ’get me out of the scrape any way you can, and I’ll bless you for ever.  What a brute I am never to have asked after your work!  Does it get on?’

’As much as any work can in London just now.  I must take it away with me somewhere into the country next month.  It doesn’t like dinner-parties.’

‘Like me,’ said Wallace, with a shrug.

‘Nonsense!’ said Kendal; ‘you’re made for them.  Good-night.’

‘Good-night.  It’s awfully good of you.’

‘What?  Wait till it’s well over!’