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tea. Never had he seen her so beautiful as now, when passionate self-analysis laid bare her soul.

“I have sinned with Eve and have left the Garden of Eden in company with Lilith, my rightful mate,” he said softly.

“With no regret for Eve or the Garden of Eden?” she asked.

“None,” he declared with conviction.

Patricia softened. She smiled at him tenderly.

“You’re a liar, Jimmy,” she said gently, “and I love you because of it.”

Harley leaned forward eagerly, his elbows upon the table and his hands reaching for hers.

“But you will marry me—eventually?” he asked earnestly.

Her answer was prompt and decided.

“If I cannot hold a man without the assistance of the law, Jimmy, it is because he doesn’t want me. That is a very good reason why I should not be held.”

“But the marriage laws are the woman’s protection, Pat.”

“Such a poor weak thing has woman become since God first gave her the shackles wherewith to make man captive!” she replied with a mild sneer. “Don’t be foolish, Jimmy,” she added, patting his cheek. If—and when—you desire to protect me no longer, be assured that I shall desire no further protection. I am different from Grace. What I lose I forget.”

She rose and commenced to clear the table. Harley swallowed his tea and rose to assist her.

“By the way,” she said, as she shook the tablecloth beside the back-door, “what are you doing about Grace—financially, Jimmy?”

“Grace is all right,” he answered shortly, piling the crockery neatly on the sink-board. “She has money of her own. And, of course, I’ll do my duty by her in that direction.”

“You will make her an allowance?”

“Alimony? Yes, if she’ll take it—which I doubt.”