The Real Charlotte. 375 



know out in New Zealand, who told me last year I ought to 

 chuck the army and go out there." He dropped his reins 

 on the pony's neck, and took Francie's hand. " Why 

 shouldn't we go there together, Francie? I'll give up 

 everything for you, my darling 1 " 



She feebly tried to take her hand away, but did not reply. 



" I've got three hundred a year of my own, and we can 

 do ourselves awfully well on that out there. We'll always 

 have lots of horses, and it's a ripping climate — and — and I 

 love you, and I'll always love you ! " 



He was carried away by his own words, and, stooping his 

 head, he kissed her hand again and again. 



Every pulse in her body answered to his touch, and when 

 she drew her hand away, it was with an effort that was more 

 than physical. 



" Ah ! stop, stop," she cried. " I've changed — I didn't 

 mean it." 



" Didn't mean what ? " demanded Hawkins, with his light 

 eyes on fire. 



** Oh, leave me alone," she said, turning her distracted 

 face towards him. " I'm nearly out of my mind as it is. 

 What made you follow me out here ? I came out so as 

 I wouldn't see you, and I'm going to meet Roddy now." 



Hawkins' colour died slowly down to a patchy white. 

 " What do you think it was that made me follow you ? Do 

 you want to make me tell you over again what you know 

 already ? " She did not answer, and he went on, trying to 

 fight against his own fears by speaking very quietly and 

 rationally. " I don't know what you're at, Francie. I 

 don't believe you know what you're saying. Something 

 must have happened, and it would be fairer to tell me what 

 it is, than to drive me distracted in this sort of way." 



There was a pause of several seconds, and he was framing 

 a fresh remonstrance when she spoke. 



" Roddy's in great trouble. I wouldn't leave him," 

 she said, taking refuge in a prevarication of the exact truth. 



Something about her told Hawkins that things were 

 likely to go hard with him, and there was something, too, 

 that melted his anger as it rose ; but her pale face drew him 

 to a height of passion that he had not known before. 



" And don't you think anything about me ? " he said with 

 a breaking voice. "Are you ready to throw me overboard 



