oo bad that duty should carry so amiss!

Two weeks later, with no explanation or excuse, a cable came from Wally
to Miss Watts:

"Come home by next boat."

It was a blow to them both, they were having such a good time. But it
was "theirs not to question why"--so they packed hastily, to catch the
steamer leaving on the morrow.

It happened that hostilities were on at the moment, between Isabelle and
the Captain. She did not want to leave him without a farewell, nor did
she want to make overtures toward peace. He was off on Haven's yacht
when the news of the approaching sudden departure spread about. It
happened that on his return no one spoke to him about it. Isabelle saw
him after dinner on the terrace. He lit a cigarette and strolled off
alone toward the gardens. She followed him. He wandered into a sort of
kiosk, where the view was fine, and she darted in after him, and
straight into his arms.

"Good-bye," she said, "good-bye. I hope it isn't for ever."

He held her to him in complete surprise, and laid his cheek upon her
hair.

"Cricket," he said softly, "little old crickety-Cricket! Good-bye for
what?"

She started back and looked up at him.

"You! You!" she cried. "Oh! But I thought you were----"

"Not Percy!" he exploded.

But she ran away fast, through the garden, and he heard her laughter.

This was the memory that Isabelle carried with her on the way home. It
was sweet and warm. She was content with it for a while.

* * * * *

Wally met them at the pier. It was plain that he was excited. After
hasty greetings, he turned to his daughter.

"Who in thunder is this Frenchman you're engaged to?"

"What?" she demanded, startled.

"Jean Jacques Petard visits me; Jean Jacques Petard patrols our house;
Jean Jacques Petard shadows your mother----"

"But I--but he isn't----"

"None of your tricks!" ordered Wally. "What we want to know is who is
this Jean Jacques Petard, who demands your hand in marriage?"

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

On the way home from the pier Isabelle demanded explanations about the
Frenchman, but Wally refused to talk.

"Your mother has something to say on the subject. Wait until we get
home."

She and Miss Watts were summoned before the bar of judgment as soon as
they reached the house. Max met them in the library and after a
perfunctory greeting opened fire.

"Miss Watts, what does this mean?"

"