Chapter 14

           NextdayJuliawenttoCartier’sandboughtawatchtosendtoTomFennellinsteadoftheonehehadpawned,andtwoorthreeweekslater,discoveringthatitwashisbirthday,shesenthimagoldcigarette-case.

           "D’youknow,that’stheonethingI’vewantedallmylife."

           Shewonderedifthereweretearsinhiseyes.Hekissedherpassionately.

           Then,ononeexcuseandanother,shesenthimpearlstudsandsleeve-linksandwaistcoatbuttons.Itthrilledhertomakehimpresents.

           "It’ssoawfulthatIcan’tgiveyouanythinginreturn,"hesaid.

           "Givemethewatchyoupawnedtostandmeasupper."

           Itwasalittlegoldwatchthatcouldnothavecostmorethantenpounds,butitamusedhertowearitnowandthen.

           ItwasnottillafterthatnightwhentheyhadfirstsuppedtogetherthatJuliaconfessedtoherselfthatshehadfalleninlovewithTom.Itcametoherasashock.Butshewasexhilarated.

           "IwhothoughtIcouldneverbeinloveagain.Ofcourseitcan’tlast.Butwhyshouldn’tIgetwhatfunoutofitIcan?"

           ShedecidedthathemustcomeagaintoStanhopePlace.Itwasnotlongbeforeanopportunitypresenteditself.

           "Youknowthatyoungaccountantofyours,"shesaidtoMichael."TomFennell’shisname.ImethimoutatsuppertheothernightandI’veaskedhimtodinnernextSunday.Wewantanextraman."

           "Oh,d’youthinkhe’llfitin?"

           Itwasratheragrandparty.Itwasonthataccountshehadaskedhim.Shethoughtitwouldpleasehimtomeetsomeofthepeoplehehadknownonlyfromtheirpictures.