"Still, it is less pleasant now and then to feel under an obligation, though there is no reason why you should." Maud Barrington was not altogether pleased, but she could not blind herself to facts, and it was plain that there was an obligation.

"I am afraid I cannot quite believe that, but I do not see what you are leading to." Winston's eyes twinkled.

"Well," he said reflectively, "I don't want you to fancy that last night commits you to any line of conduct in regard to me.

I only asked for a truce, you see." Maud Barrington was a trifle nettled.

"Yes ?" she said.
"Then, I want to show you how you can discharge any trifling obligation you may fancy you may owe me, which of course would be more pleasant to you.