"Just give me a word of hope, Helena! Don't turn me down, at once." "Then you mustn't talk nonsense," she said vehemently, withdrawing her hand.

"I don't want to be engaged! I don't want to be married! Why can't I be let alone ?" Geoffrey had turned a little pale.

In the pause that followed he fell back on a cigarette for consolation.

"Why can't you be let alone ?" he said at last.

"Why ?--because--you're Helena!" "What a stupid answer!" she said contemptuously.