Free Closed Circle by Robert Goddard

was downcast at the news of Charnwood's intransigence. But he derived some comfort from what, with my encouragement, he perceived to be a change of heart on my part. "You don't think I should give up, then?" he asked.
    "It's a difficult decision," I replied, with a frown of resignation. "But sometimes love must be given its head. Clearly, this is one of those times." Not, of course, if I had anything to do with it. But poor besotted Max was in no state to hear the truth. I had no choice but to lie, as much for his benefit as for mine. One of us had to think of pounds, shillings and pence even if the other was temporarily blinded to their importance. Our only remaining hope of profit from this enterprise lay in what Charnwood had offered me for betraying Max and Diana's plans. It was therefore incumbent upon me to ensure they had some plans to betray. One day, I did not doubt, my friend would thank me for what I was doing. But that day seemed likely to be a long way off. Meanwhile, there was nothing for it but bare-faced duplicity. "Just don't let Diana slip away from you now I've made this sacrifice," I said with a smile. "She's too good to lose."
    "Don't think I don't know it." He chewed pensively at his thumbnail. "But she wants to please him so much. I... I just don't know what she'll do."
    "When will you next see her?"
    Tomorrow, near Dorking. We agreed to meet for tea at Burford Bridge. It's an hotel at the foot of Box Hill a safe distance from the house." He thought for a moment, then said: "Why don't you come with me? You can make her understand just how unreasonable her father's being."
    "Well, if I can help .. ."
    "I'd appreciate it. I really would."
    "Then say no more. I'll be there."
    We caught an afternoon train from Victoria and were walking down the lane from Box Hill station towards the river Mole by three o'clock. Ahead of us, where the main road from London crossed the river, stood the hotel, rambling and substantial in its leafy setting beneath the downs.
    Max was nervous lest Diana would not be there. I think he was afraid Charnwood might have imprisoned her at Amber Court. But he need not have been, for she was already installed in a quiet corner of the hotel lounge, tea and cakes arranged on a table before her. She looked sombre and somehow more beautiful because of it, the delicate forget-me-not pattern on her dress emphasizing her vulnerability. If she was surprised to see me, she covered it well. Perhaps, I thought, she had guessed Max might bring me.
    We ordered more tea and sat down together. At once Diana lowered her voice and said: "I'm grateful for what you tried to do, Guy, but you've only succeeded in hardening my father's heart."
    "I'm sorry," I replied, endeavouring to look suitably crestfallen. "Really I am."
    "He's forbidden me to see any more of you, Max," she said, taking his hand discreetly in hers. "Simply by being here, I'm going against his wishes. He says we're to spend next month abroad. In Italy. Out of harm's way. Meanwhile, I'm not even allowed to visit London. And my dear little Imp's been locked in its garage, the keys confiscated. I've never known him to behave like this before. It's as if he's suddenly become some .. ." Tears glistened in her eyes and she reached for a handkerchief. "Some kind of ogre."
    "Don't distress yourself, darling," said Max, patting her hand. "He won't stop us marrying. He can't."
    "Can't he?"
    The question was left hanging in the air as our tea arrived. After the waitress had spent an age arranging cups and saucers amidst many an echoing clatter and finally withdrawn, I decided to contribute my four penn' orth to the anguished discussion. "I believe pride is what's stopping your father admitting he's wrong, Diana."
    "Surely he wouldn't let that stand in the way of my happiness?"
    "He can't help himself."
    "Then what's to be done?"
    "You must take matters out of his hands."
    "You mean ..." She bit her lip and frowned. "But I'd so hoped to have his