thought of the barren years to come when they would remember this hour
as a treasure snatched from fate. This was the golden time, the
fleeting glory,--let them realise, let them make the most!

Neither spoke; it seemed a waste of time to speak. Dane lifted the
beautiful hands and gazed at them with adoring eyes; Cassandra lifted
his in her turn, and found their sun-baked strength every whit as
beautiful. They looked into each other's eyes, deeply, endlessly, as
lovers look who are about to part, and the world and all that is in it
has ceased to exist.

Footsteps came along the winding path but they did not hear; light,
tripping footsteps drawing nearer and nearer. They reached the
summer-house, and halted before the opened door.

"Cassandra!" said a quiet voice. "It's me. It's Grizel!"

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

ENTER GRIZEL.

Cassandra lifted her head and stared blankly, then with cold
displeasure, into the intruder's face. There was not the faintest tinge
of embarrassment in her mien, nothing but surprise, and anger, and an
intolerable impatience. She sat in silence, struggling to collect her
thoughts, and the while she stared, Grizel stepped lightly over the
threshold, and seated herself on one of the scattered chairs. It was
done so quickly that there was no time for protest, if protest had been
possible, and Cassandra, biting her lip, turned towards Dane for
support. He had risen to his feet, and looked miserable and embarrassed
as a man is bound to do when placed in an awkward situation. Cassandra
looked for signs of an anger corresponding to her own, failed to find
it, and in consequence felt angrier than before. Her voice was steely
in its hauteur.

"Did you wish to see me?"

"Please!" said Grizel softly. Her hazel eyes met Peignton's with a
long, straight glance, whose message he could not misunderstand. He
flushed, and held out his hand.

"I'll go... Good-bye--"

"I shall see you again. I am free on Wednesday and on Friday."
Cassandra spoke in a heightened voice, as though scorning an attempt at
deceit. "You will meet me here?"

"Yes. Yes. I'll let you know--"

He dropped her hand, bowed slightly to Grizel, and swung rapidly away,
leaving the two women alone.

"Grizel Beverley," said Cassandra deliberately, "I hate you!"

"Poor darling!" said Grizel, trembling. "Of course you do!" She shook
out a minute handkerchief, and wiped the moisture from her face. It
dawned on Ca