Part 44 (1/2)

”_For the last fortnight I've been doing a turn of French-Without-Tears as an interpreter at the MINISTeRE DE LA GUERRE There was so little work to do that the job suited me rather well Alas! it suited equally well certain others who had a better clailand next ith a vague pro about the new arrangement is that I shall be at ho you 'Mr Eric Lane, the well-known dra Ryder Street residence' As you probably know, the papers have been full of you; the gaping world nos to the last inch of your benevolent sarette and dress and have your pyjaood, you see of which, if you hear of any cheap and handy rooht keep me in ested_”

There was a chance, Eric reflected, that Jack lanced at the pictures in ”_The World and His Wife_” without troubling to read the letter-press It was so unlikely as not to be worth entertaining That he had read of the ruement was as certain as that he made no comment upon it

Whether he had seen it or not was trivial All this pernickety analysis was flooded by the overwhel home Germany, Switzerland, Paris, London; nearer and nearer Within seven days he h--to sheas left of him and to ask whether Barbara wished to withdraw her pro to be set free, appealing to Eric's love and nanimity

He determined that, if they were to play battledore-and-shuttlecock with their capability for self-sacrifice, he would strike the first blow and stand ready to see what return she wouldBabs, it's essential that I should see you for a oing to be in London next week? If so, please fix your own ti down to Lashmar for the week-end and, if you can h station, I'll coet a train back to Winchester I can't come to the Abbey, obviously, or every one would want to knoas up The business in hand won't take a moment to discuss, but it's ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that we should discuss it at once_”

As he posted the letter, Eric was conscious that he could have said all that was necessary without a , but he kneell that it was far easier for her to be collected and valiant on paper and at a distance

If Barbara chose to accept his sacrifice, she should do it in his presence, looking into his eyes

”_Has so awful happened_?” she wrote in reply ”_You do FRIGHTEN me so, when you write like that! I have to come up on Sunday for a charity concert at the Oly If you really want to see me for only a moment, is it possible for you to ets in at 1229 and leaves at 1233 (aren't I getting clever with the time-table? As a matter of fact I made father's secretary work it all out for me) If you'd like to wait on the platforether for a moment Dear Eric, I do hope you're not in any kind of trouble! When you becorow nervous

Barbara_”

There was suppressed exciteht, when he put in a clai himself and instructed the maids with unusual particularity to see that he did not oversleep hi very mysterious,”

He went to bed early in hope that a long night's rest would steady his nerves for an interviehich would not be the less trying for its brevity and which, he no, had been , as he cli before his eyes, under the mild warmth of a Nove recklessness of colour, fro red to russet and le of peace, as he surrendered to the voiceless ic of the still countryside and to whimsical memories of his own childhood Life was so ain be soby his side(If he could only drag her froate his parents! It would be worth a little mystery to effect that!)

If she dropped like a stone out of his life, he would raise both hands to Heaven and pray God to take away his reason and draw a sponge across hisout of the , as the train drew into the station Eric ran to her compartment; but for a time they were victigage, who stood in the doorway calling with shrill helplessness for a porter

”I see your play's going to be produced at the end of theher hand towards a paper on the opposite seat

”Are you coht?” he asked

”Of course!” She watched the departure of the old lady with ill-suppressed eagerness ”Thank goodness, she's gone! What is it, Eric?

Why did you want to see hed uneasily Ever since he received her letter, he had been rehearsing an effective little speech; but it was gone fro his throat ”Babs, I'

For soenerosity I've been thinking it overYou're absolutely free, Babs”

”But--why?” she asked blankly

”Before writing to you, I'd heard froland within a week I--don't want you to feel” He had to leave the sentence unfinished

Barbara had beco

”This--doesn't ood-bye?” she faltered

”It's a present, not an ultimatum,” Eric answered sharply