her girdle with leisurely swiftness, falling to her knees at his feet.

“There, my friend, thou art back in thy place!” she said, snapping on his ankle irons. “Spend the night in thought, good Rupert. To-morrow I shall come to thee again for thy decision. Now, pleasant dreams, my — lover!” she whispered, suddenly slipping her arms about his neck again and pulling his head hard against her panting breast. She softly kissed his hair, then pressed back his head and kissed his lips long and passionately.

“Good night, beloved!” she said, and passed out of the room, leaving behind the echoes of a rippling little laugh that set Venner’s blood to leaping.