did. I suppose Falkner gave you a full, true and particular account of

how we bested the precious specimen who claimed him."

She laughed.

"Oh, he's been bragging about that, and all your adventures--or rather his--up there, in quite his own style."

"Well, there was nothing for either of us to brag about in the way we recovered Arlo," I said. "If the King's impi hadn't happened along in the nick of time I own frankly we might never have been able to recover him at all. It was a hundred to one, you understand."

Again she laughed, significantly, and I read into the laugh the fact that she did not quite accept Falkner's narratives at precisely Falkner's own valuation.

"How did Falkner behave himself?" she went on.

"Oh, he was all right. He was always spoiling for a fight and on one occasion he got it. I daresay he has told you about that."

"Yes," she said, with the same significant laugh. "He gave us a graphic account of it."

"Well he has plenty of pluck and readiness, and a man might have many a worse companion in an emergency."

"It's nice of you to say that. I don't believe he was a bit nice to you."

"Oh, only a boy's sulks," I said airily. "Nothing to bother oneself about in that."

"But was that all?" she rejoined, lifting her clear eyes to my face.

"Perhaps not," I answered, then something in her glance moved me to add: "May I tell you then, what it was that caused our differences, who it was, rather?" And I put forth my hand.

"Yes," she said, taking it. "Tell me."

"It was yourself."

"Myself?"

"Yes. Do you remember what you said that last evening I was here? I do. I've treasured every word of it since. You said I was to come and see you directly I returned, and that you would look forward to it."

She nodded, smiling softly.

"Yes. And I have. And--what did you answer?"

"I answered that I would look forward to it every day until it came. And I have."

"And is the result disappointing?"

"You know it is not."

I have stated elsewhere that I seldom err in my reading of the human countenance, and now it seemed that all Paradise was opening before my eyes as I noticed a slight accession of colour to the beautiful face, a deepening of the tender smile which curved the beautiful lips. Then words poured forth in a torrent. What was I saying? For the life of me I could not tell, but one thing was certain. I was saying what I meant. Then again her hand reached forth to mine, and its pressure, while maddening me, told that whatever I was saying, it at any rate was not unacceptable when--

Arlo, who had been lying at our feet, sprang up and growled, then subsided immediately, wagging his tail and whining as he snuffed in the direction of the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Hallo, Glanton," sung out a gruff voice. "You taking lessons in high art? They're wondering where you've got to, Aida. They're going to have tea."

"Well, tell them not to wait. I'll be in directly when I'm ready."

"Oh no. No hurry about that," answered Falkner with an evil grin, flinging himself on the ground beside us, and proceeding leisurely to fill his pipe. "We'll all stroll back together--eh, Glanton?"

I am ashamed to remember how I hated Falkner Sewin at that moment. Had he heard what I had been saying, or any part of it? But he had thrust his obnoxious presence between it and the answer, and that sort of opportunity does not readily recur, and if it does, why the repetition is apt to fall flat.

He lay there, maliciously watching me--watching us--and the expression of his face was not benevolent, although he grinned. He noted his cousin's slight confusion, and delighted to add to it by keeping his glance fixed meaningly upon her face. Then he would look from the one to the other of us, and his grin would expand. There was a redeeming side to his disgust at the situation from his point of view. He was annoying us both--annoying us thoroughly--and he knew it.

She, for her part, showed no sign of it as she continued her painting serenely. Further exasperated, Falkner began teasing Arlo, and this had the effect of wearying Aida of the situation. She got up and announced her intention of returning to the house.

And Falkner, walking on the other side of her, solaced himself with making objectionable remarks, in an objectionable tone, knowing well that the same stopped just short of anything one could by any possibility take up.