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At first Roger had combated the increasing consolation he found himself feeling in the nearness of a woman who was not Sheilah. But finally he concluded it was but another proof of the intensity of his love for her. Before Sheilah's advent his desires, as far as women were concerned, were well under control. She awoke them, excited them, and then went away, and left them unsatisfied. It was the absent and forever-forbidden Sheilah he groped for in Cicely, when he placed his hand upon her wrist and felt the warm, smooth, feminine flesh beneath his fingers.

He was fully aware of the significance to Cicely of his gesture. He had not decided to commit himself to her to-night, however. That was the detail in which his will-power slipped a little. But why not to-night? Why postpone it? For many weeks now he had been arriving at the conclusion that he would follow Sheilah's suggestion, and seek happiness where he had sought it many years ago.

He and Cicely were well suited. He admired her brain, took keen pleasure in her unerring good taste and fine discernment. He was an excellent audience for her finished performances as a hostess. And they had many tastes in common. Both liked interesting people, interesting conversation, good food, good wine, good horses, music, books, and, not least of all,