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 drowned the newspapers would have got hold of it, and the Imperial couldn't have been burned by stealth, and if"

"Enough," he laughed. "I apologise. Why not tell her the truth?"

"The truth?" she queried.

"I grant it's the last thing that one usually thinks of. Say that I fainted in your arms in the dining-room of the Imperial and"

"Oh, don't be ridiculous," she laughed. "Seriously though," she added a moment later. "I think it would be the best plan."

"To say that I fainted in your arms?" he asked innocently.

"That going to the assistance of a fellow-guest ho had fainted," she continued severely, "I found that he was a cousin of Lord Drewitt."

"And nephew of Lady Drewitt, don't forget that," he said hastily, "or Aunt Caroline would never forgive you."

"I'll remember," she nodded.

"And having dragged me back resisting to this world," he continued, "you might add that you neglected me in a land where foster-mothers were not."

"Whatever are you talking about?"

"Only of your neglect during the early days of my convalescence."

"Suppose it got to be known that you and I were travelling up to London in a reserved