“Thank you,” said Valancy dully. Really, it was quite decent of Uncle Benjamin. “Can I go and lie down a little while? I’m — I’m — tired.”

“Of course you’re tired.” Uncle Benjamin patted her hand gently — very gently. “All worn out and nervous. Go and lie down, by all means. You’ll see things in quite a different light after you’ve had a good sleep.”

He held the door open. As she went through he whispered, “What is the best way to keep a man’s love?”

Valancy smiled wanly. But she had come back to the old life — the old shackles. “What?” she asked as meekly as of yore.

“Not to return it,”