"But I want you to."
"How?" she asked, still uneasily perplexed, her eyes fixed on him.
But he had no definite idea, no plan fixed, nothing further to say on a subject that had so suddenly taken shape within his mind.
She asked him again for an explanation, but, receiving none, settled back thoughtfully in her furs. Only once did he break the silence.
"You know," he said indifferently, "that row of houses, of which yours is one, belongs to me. I mean to me, personally."
"No, I didn't know it."
"Well it does. It's my own investment I've reduced rents pending improvements."
She looked up at him.
"The rent of your apartment has been reduced fifty per cent.," he said carelessly; "so your rent is now paid until the new term begins next October."
"Clive! That is perfectly ridiculous!" she began, hotly; but he swung around, silencing her:
"Are you criticising my business methods?" he demanded.
"But that is too silly "
"Will you mind your business!" he exclaimed, turning and taking her by both shoulders. She looked into his eyes, searching them in silence. Then:
"You're such a dear," she sighed; "why do you want to do a thing like that when my sisters and I can afford to pay the present rent. You are always doing such things, Clive; you have simply covered my dressing-table with silver; my bureau is full of pretty things, all gifts from you; you've given me the loveliest furniture of my own, and books and desk-set and and everything. And now you are asking me to live rent-free And what have I to offer you in return?"
"The happiness of being with you now and then."
"Oh, Clive! You know that isn't very much to offer you. You know that our being together is far more to me than it is to you! I dare not even consider what I'd do without you, now. You mould me, alter my thoughts, make me such a delightfully different girl, take entire charge and possession of me I don't want you to give me anything more do anything more for me When you first began to give me beautiful things I didn't want to take them. Do you remember how awkward and shy I was how I blushed. But I always end by doing everything you wish And it seems to give us both so much pleasure all you do for me But please don't ask me to live without paying rent "
The limousine drew up by the curb; Clive jumped out, aided Athalie to descend; and started for the grilled door where a light glimmered.
"This is not the house!" exclaimed Athalie, stopping short. "Where are you taking me, Clive?"
"Come on," he said, "I merely want to show you how I've had the new apartment house built "
"But it's too late! What an odd idea, taking me to inspect a new apartment house at two in the morning! Are you really serious?"
He nodded and rang. A sleepy night porter opened, recognised Clive, and touched his hat.
"Take us to the top, Mike," he said.
"Have you the keys, sorr?"
"Yes."
They entered the cage and it shot up to the top floor.
"Wait for us, Mike." And to Athalie: "This is Michael Daly who will do anything you ask of him won't you, Mike?"
"I will that, sorr," said the big Irishman, tipping his hat to Athalie.
"But, Clive," she persisted, bewildered, still clinging to his arm, "I don't understand why "
"Little goose, hush!" he replied, subduing the excitement in his voice and fitting the key into the door.
"One moment, Athalie," he added, "until I light up. Now!"
She entered the lighted hallway, walking on a soft green carpet, and turned, obeying the guiding pressure of his arm, into a big square room which sprang into brilliant illumination as he found the switch.
Green and gold were the hangings and prevailing colours; there were rugs, wide, comfortable chairs and lounges, bookcases, a picture or two in deep glowing colours, a baby-grand piano, and an open fire loaded for business.
"Is it done in good taste, Athalie?" he asked.
"It is charming. Is it yours, Clive?"
He laughed, slipped his arm under hers and led her along the hallway, opening door after door; and first she was invited to observe a very modern and glistening bathroom, then a bedroom all done in grey and rose with dainty white furniture and a white-bear rug beside the bed.
"Why this is a woman's room!" she exclaimed, puzzled.
He only laughed and drew her along the hall, showing her another bedroom with twin beds, a maid's room, a big clothes press, and finally, a completely furnished kitchen, very modern with its porcelain baseboard and tiled walls.
"What do you think of all this, Athalie?" he insisted.
"Why it's exquisite, Clive. Whose is it?"
They walked back to the square living-room. He said, teasingly: "Do you remember, the first time I saw you after those four years, that first evening when I came in to surprise you and found you sitting by the radiator in your nightie, Athalie?"
"Yes," she said, laughing and blushing as she always did when he tormented her with that souvenir.
"And I said that you ought to have an open fire. And a cat. Didn't I?"
"Yes."
"There's your fire, Athalie;" he drew a match from his tiny flat gold case, struck it, and lighted the nest of pine shavings under the logs; "and Michael has the cat when you want it."
He drew a big soft arm-chair to the mounting blaze. Athalie stood motionless, staring at the flames, then with a sudden, nervous gesture she sank down on the arm-chair and covered her face with her gloved hands.
He stood waiting, happy and excited, and finally he went over and touched her; and the girl caught his hand convulsively in both of hers and looked up at him with wet eyes.
"How can I do this, Clive? How can I?" she whispered.
"Any brother would do as much for his sister "
"Oh, Clive! You are different! You are more than that. You know you are. How can I take all this? Will you tell me? How can I live here this way "
"Your sisters will be here. You saw their room just now "
"But what can I tell them? How can I explain? They know we cannot afford such luxury as this?"
"Tell them the rent is the same."
"They won't believe it. They couldn't. They don't understand even now how it is with you and me that you are so dear and generous and kind just because you are my friend and no more than my friend Not that they really believe anything unpleasant of me but but "
"What do you care as long as it isn't so?" he said, coolly.
"I don't care. Except that it weakens my authority over them Catharine is very impulsive, and she dearly loves a good time and she is becoming sullen with me when I try to advise her or curb her And it's so with Doris, too I'd like to keep my influence But if they ever really began to believe that between you and me there was more than friendship, I I don't know what they might feel free to think or do "
"They're older than you."
"Yes. But I seem to have the authority, or I did have."
They looked into the leaping flames; he threw open his fur coat and seated himself on the padded arm of her chair.
"All I know is," he said, "that it gives me the deepest and most enduring happiness to do things for you. When the architect planned this house I had him design a place for you. Ultimately all the row of old houses are to be torn down and replaced by modern apartments with moderate rentals. So you will have to move anyway sooner or later. Why not come here now?"
Half unconsciously she had rested her cheek against the fur lining of his coat where it fell against his arm. He looked down at her, touched her hair a thing he had never thought of doing before.
Half unconsciously she had rested her cheek against the fur lining of his coat where it fell against his arm. He looked down at her, touched her hair a thing he had never thought of doing before.