nd your mad scheme has been a success. You were very
vague in your reports; gave me no particulars."

"You didn't want letters. For a long time you didn't write at all."

"Oh, well! Now we can talk. You must tell me all your adventures. You
look well--very well! What's the trouble, Evelyn?"

"I never said it was trouble."

She looked at me sharply, fearfully. Instead of being reassured, my
answer seemed to have excited her fears.

"Not trouble! Then--Evelyn! what is it? Tell me quickly. Don't
quibble! Are you in love--engaged?"

"Don't be absurd. I've been Miss Harding, remember! Wait till you see
me! I had lessons in making up, and I really look the part. In love,
indeed!"

But I knew that my colour was mounting, I could feel the burn of it in
my cheeks. Charmion's lips twitched, and her dear eyes grew misty and
sad.

"It's hateful of me, but--I don't want to lose you! I'd be a lonely
soul!"

I put my hand over hers, but said nothing. Her words had saddened me,
for they accurately described my own feelings.

"You are well--there is no trouble--you are not in love. Then what was
the urgent need?"

"Are you sorry to be here?"

"Yes! if you are going to prevaricate and hedge. I've thrown every plan
to the winds to come tearing back. The least you can do--"

"I know!--I know! And I _will_--after dinner. Give me till eight
o'clock, to enjoy you, and to calm my nerves. It's good news, but--it
upsets our plans. I needed you here to talk over and to arrange. Can't
you leave business, and just be `homey' with me for an hour or two,
after all this time?"

She laughed. How good it was to hear that soft, low laugh, and to feast
my eyes on her exquisite self! Even after a two days' journey Charmion
looked elegant. I believe she would look well groomed on a desert
island. Some women seem born with this gift. It wasn't given to me. I
can be untidy on the slightest provocation!

"Indeed I can. There's any amount of chit-chat to get through, apart
from serious problems. You have done me out of my Paris shopping,
Evelyn, but I've a box full of trophies for you all the same. Wherever
I went, I picked up some token to prove that I remembered you all the
time."

"Oh! cheers! cheers!" I cried fervently. "That's a good hearing! It
_is_ more blessed to give than to receive, but now and then, as a
variety, it is refreshing to have an innings one's self!"

She laughed at that, gripped