On the Friday evening a telegram was received from John Derringham saying he would return on the Saturday night, and Mr. Hanbury-Green felt this was the moment to act.  He had no intention of having any quarrel with his rival, or of putting himself in the position of being called upon to give an account of himself.  The news of his dismissal must be conveyed to John Derringham by the lady as that lady’s free and determined choice.

So Mr. Green was very cautious all the Friday evening, and made himself as irresistible as he could, using all his clever wits to flatter and cajole Cecilia, and leaving not a trifle unconsidered which could interfere with his plans.

They were simple enough.

He claimed to have discovered a quite new and quite charming spot on the Lido, which he was most anxious to take Mrs. Cricklander to see alone—­he put a stress upon the word alone, and looked into her eyes.  They would go quite early and be back before tea, as John Derringham had timed himself to arrive upon the mainland about seven o’clock, and would be at the Daniellis, where they were all staying, for dinner.

Mrs. Cricklander felt she must have one more delightful afternoon, and, as this excursion might contain a spice of adventure, it thrilled her blood.  She had been exquisitely discreet—­in public—­forcing Arabella always to talk to Mr. Hanbury-Green, and devoting herself to Lady Maulevrier, or any other lady or old gentleman who happened to be present.  And then she felt free to spend long hours alone with Mr. Hanbury-Green in her sitting-room, whose balcony hung over the beautiful canal.  No one could say a word—­Arabella’s discretion could always be counted upon; and pleasure was secured.

She looked, perhaps, more beautiful than she had ever done in her life as they started.  Mr. Hanbury-Green had hired a special gondola, not the one they were accustomed to float about in,—­and off they went.  Where was the harm, in broad daylight! and with Arabella to accompany them—­as far as the last steps, and then to be dropped?  Cecilia felt like a school-girl on a forbidden treat.

When they were well out of sight of all observation, Mr. Hanbury-Green began.  He told her that he loved her, in all the most impressive language he was master of; he felt that with her he might with safety and success use the same flamboyant metaphors and exaggerations with which he was accustomed to move his constituents.  No restraint or attention to accuracy was necessary here.  And if his voice in his honest excitement would have sounded a little cockney in Arabella’s cultured ears, Cecilia Cricklander did not notice it.  On the contrary, she thought the whole thing was the finest-sounding harangue she had ever heard in her life.

He went on to say that he could not live without her, and implored her to throw over John Derringham and promise to be his wife.

“He thinks you are madly in love with him, darling,” he said, knowing this would sting, “and will stand any of his airs.  Let him see you are not.  Give him the snub he deserves for deserting you, and fling his dismissal in his face.”