"So long as it is not a put-off," said he. "Not even for a fair one's smile could I barter a friend's honour."
Kitty held the letter aloft tantalizingly and looked at the clock.
"If you won't be the bearer," said she, "I will send it by the chairman, and then you will never know what is in it. Moreover," said she, and smiled archly, "if Sir Jasper apologises to Lord Verney, which, upon receipt of this letter, I make no doubt he will, you can take his place, you know, and will not be done out of a gallant meeting."
"Of course, ha, of course!" cried Spicer with a yellow smile.
Laughing, Mistress Kitty closed the door behind his retreating figure.
"Now," said she.
"Oh, what have you done, what have you made me do?" cried Harry Verney in a sudden agony.
"Hush," said Mistress Kitty. "Did I not tell you your honour was safe with me? Do you not believe me?" said she meltingly. "Ah, Verney!" She put her hand to her head, and at her touch the mask fell.
He looked at her face, blushing and quivering upon him, and once more fell on his knee at her feet.
"Oh, tell me your name!" cried he, pleadingly.