"I broke the first I admit, my dear; but I made no second appointment."

"You had my note asking you to come to me this evening?"

"Yes, but I did not come."

"You had no intention of coming?"

"No," said Shawe, without hesitation. "I had no intention of coming."

"Ralph"--Audrey caught his hand--"do you think that you are treating me in a straightforward way?"

"Yes and no. Perhaps I should be more open with you, and yet if I was you would be afraid and angry."

"I am angry in any case, seeing that you will not trust me; but afraid"--she looked at him very straightly--"why should I be afraid?"

Shawe dropped into an opposite chair with an air of lassitude. "If I explained that, Audrey, I should have to be more frank than I care to be."

"Why? For what reason?"