it began to dawn on him that she was playing up to Langton, and that set in train irritating thoughts.  He watched the other jealously, and noticed how the girl drew him out to speak of his travels, and how excellently he did it, leaning back at coffee with his cigarette, polite, pleasant, attractive.  Julie, who usually smoked cigarette after cigarette furiously, only, however, getting through about half of each, now refused a second, and glanced at the clock about 8.30.

“Oh,” she said, “I must go.”

Peter remonstrated.  “If you can stay out later at Havre,” he said, “why not here?”

She laughed lightly.  “I’m reforming,” she said, “in the absence of bad companions.  Besides, they are used to my being later at Havre, but here I might be spotted, and then there would be trouble.  Would you fetch my coat, Captain Graham?”

Peter went obediently, and they all three moved out into the court.

“Come along and see her home, Langton,” he said, though he hardly knew why he included the other.

“Thanks,” said his friend; “but if Miss Gamelyn will excuse me, I ought not.  I’ve got some reading I must do for to-morrow, and I want to write a letter or two as well.  You’ll be an admirable escort, Graham.”

“Good-night,” said Julie, holding out her hand; “perhaps we shall meet again some time.  One is always running up against people in France.  And thank you so much for your share of the entertainment.”

In a few seconds Peter and she were outside.  The street was much darkened, and there was no moon.  They walked in silence for a little.  Suddenly he stopped.  “Wouldn’t you like a cab?” he said; “we might be able to get one.”

Julie laughed mischievously, and Peter gave a little start in the dark.  It struck him that this was the old laugh and that he had not heard it that night before.  “It’s convenient, of course,” she said mockingly.  “Do get one by all means.  But last time I came home with you in a cab, you let me finish alone.  I thought that was to be an invariable rule.”

“Oh, don’t Julie,” said Peter.

Her tone changed.  “Why not?” she demanded.  “Solomon, what’s made you so glum to-night?  You were cheerful enough when you met me, and when we began; then you got silent.  What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” he said.

She slipped her hand in his arm.  “There is something,” she said.  “Do tell me.”

“Do you like Langton?” he asked.

“Oh, immensely—­why?  Oh, Lord, Solomon, what do you mean?”

“You were different in his presence, Julie, from anything you’ve been before.”

They took a few paces in silence; then Peter had an idea, and glanced at her.  She was laughing silently to herself.  He let her hand fall from his arm, and looked away.  He knew he was behaving like an ass, but he could not help it.

She stopped suddenly.  “Peter,” she said, “I want to talk to you.  Take me somewhere where it’s possible.”