roof, I suppose, though it's a sore temptation."

"You will have ample opportunity in the future," Nick assured him
genially, "though, as I think I told you long ago, I'm the most
well-meaning little cuss that ever walked the earth. I threatened once
to put a spoke in your wheel, didn't I? Well, I never did it. I've been
pushing and straining to get it out of the bog ever since. And now I've
done it, you want to scrag me. Olga, the man's a blood-thirsty
scoundrel. If you have the smallest regard for my feelings, you will
kick him out of the house at once."

But Olga was holding the two clasped hands in hers, and she would not
let them part. "Nick, you're a darling--a darling! And Max knows it,
don't you, Max? It was dear of you to make the wheels go round. They
would never have done it without you, and we shall never, never forget
it as long as we two shall live."

"Amen!" said Max.

"Bless your hearts!" said Nick benevolently. "Well, come and have
something to eat!"

He turned towards the door, but Olga hung back. "Is--is Noel here?" she
asked.

"Heavens, no!" said Nick. "He eloped with Peggy long ago."

"Oh!" A note of relief sounded in her voice. "I shall see him
to-morrow," she said.

"Yes, he'll be over to-morrow." Nick shot her a swift look in the
twilight. "Meantime, I have a message to give you from him," he said.

"So have I," cut in Max.

"I know what it is!" said Olga quickly.

"His love," said Max.

"His best love," said Nick.

There was an instant's silence in the room; then Olga bent her head and
murmured softly, "God bless him!"

CHAPTER XXX

THE LINE OF RETREAT

"No," said Daisy, with decision. "I shall never like Dr. Wyndham, though
I am quite willing to admit that he may be admirable in many ways. He is
not my ideal of a nice husband, but then of course--" she dimpled
prettily--"I'm only just back from my honeymoon, and I've been
thoroughly spoilt."

Will smiled upon her indulgently. "It's just as well we don't all like
the same people. He looked happy enough anyhow."

"In his lordly, cynical fashion," objected Daisy. "He was quite the most
self-possessed bridegroom I ever saw."

"Just as well perhaps," commented Will. "Olga was positively shaking
with nervousness. Dr. Jim went grimly armed with a brandy-flask and
smelling-salts."

"Will, did he really? How like him!"

"Yes. Sir Kersley told me. But he added that it is a well-known fact
that brides never faint, so