come to no decision concerning either herself or
Don Carlos. She continued to "blow hot, blow cold" every time they
met, sometimes treating him with studied coldness, at other times
flirting with him beguilingly, but always taking precautions against
giving him any opportunity to kiss her again.

Meanwhile Tony Standish had taken Lady Fermanagh's advice, and he was
wooing Myra with all the fervour and passion of which his somewhat
phlegmatic nature was capable, wooing her as if their betrothal was yet
to be, instead of an accomplished fact. Hardly a day passed but he
brought or sent some expensive trifle, together with flowers,
chocolates, or cigarettes, with assurances of his undying affection.

His tributes of devotion made Myra feel just a trifle guilty, made her
wonder, too, if Tony had decided that the love-making of Don Carlos was
something more than make-believe, and he was trying to make sure of her.

"Oh, Tony, dear, you make me feel as if you were buying me!" she
exclaimed one afternoon, when her lover presented her with a diamond
pendant. "Why have you given me such lots of presents lately, you
extravagant old thing?"

"Well, darling, I want to show you how much in love with you I am,"
answered Tony, looking quite bashful. "I am tremendously in love with
you, Myra, honour bright, and I'd do anything to prove it. I'd--I'd
give my life for you, sweetheart. Honestly, it would break my heart if
I lost you."

"Tony, what makes you talk of losing me?" Myra asked quickly.

"Oh--er--nothing, really, but--er--well, you're so beautiful, and
fascinating, and attractive, and all the rest of it, and I know there
are several men who are in love with you and would like to cut me out
if they could," explained Tony. "I say, dear, I don't mean that I
think you'd let me down and go back on your promise to marry me.
Er--you weren't in earnest, were you, darling, when you talked about
letting Don Carlos fall in love with you at Auchinleven, and making me
jealous? Please don't mind my asking, but I'm rather worried, to tell
the truth."

"Worried because you think I may be in love with Don Carlos?"

"No, Myra, not exactly, but because I know he is in love with you. He
told me so himself last night."

"He told you so himself!" exclaimed Myra, startled.

"Yes. Placed me in a rather difficult position. I suppose it was
really rather sporty of him. I don't know if I should tell you. He
called on me and said he