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‘I will not go as far as that. I could not in honesty take any responsibility for the infliction of a fresh disappointment, for I am convinced that nothing but disappointment for you could attend any renewal of the subject.’

‘If you could bring yourself to dismiss that aspect of the matter from consideration,’ Mr. Fletcher urged. ‘No doubt I was inadvised to broach the question at this juncture, but do not let me suffer irretrievable harm as the result of an uncontrollable impulse of affection towards you.’

Eve felt that there was something extraordinary about this speech, but she was too agitated at the moment to inquire what. Surely it was impossible for her to refuse so gentle a plea, and yet———

She heard a step that she recognised enter the dining-room, then return along the verandah. A shadow passed the window going and coming, then the wanderer entered the house and advanced along the hall. Eve’s heart beat more rapidly in the hope of relief, but she did not move. Mr. Fletcher’s attention was divided between the downcast face of the beautiful girl and the annoying movements without.

The step came along the hall and paused outside the partly closed door; there was a perfunctory tap and Geoffrey put his head into the room.

‘Were you looking for me, Mr. Hernshaw?’ Eve asked lightly as she rose.

Geoffrey glanced with an impassive countenance from one to the other.

‘Good-morning, Mr. Fletcher,’ he said. ‘I am looking for Major Milward. There is a native outside thirsting for his blood. He charges him