Rostrevor,
and explain why I have been making love to her, she might understand
matters better and raise no objection to my figuring as a guest at
Auchinleven," said Don Carlos, after another thoughtful pause.

"Jolly good idea!" Tony exclaimed. "I'm quite sure if you explained
matters tactfully to Myra she would understand you have really only
been trying to pay her compliments. Myra's a good sort, and I feel
sure she will accept your explanation."

Don Carlos made no immediate response. He dropped his cigarette into
an ash-tray, rose to his feet with a sigh, and strolled to the window
of his sitting room to gaze out absently across the Green Park.

"'There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which
I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a
rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man
with a maid,'" he said at length, as if to himself. "So it is written
in the Book of Proverbs."

"Er--I say, old chap, I--I hope you are not going to take this too much
to heart," remarked Tony, again feeling puzzled and uncomfortable. "If
only Myra understands and appreciates what your love-making meant----"

"I shall be happy--provided she responds in the way I desire," broke in
Don Carlos, swinging round suddenly from the window, his face lighting
up into a smile again. "Of course, if Miss Rostrevor is afraid of me,
or if you are afraid I shall take her from you and desire to cancel
your invitation on that account, I----"

"There isn't any question of that, Don Carlos," Tony interrupted in
turn. "At least, I--er--I don't think Myra is afraid of you. I fancy
she has merely misunderstood your intentions."

"I should not have imagined that to be possible," said Don Carlos.
"However, when I have discussed the situation with the charming lady,
perhaps she will decide to allow me to be a guest at Auchinleven. I
warn you, my dear Standish, that I shall not promise to refrain from
making love to her, and will continue to try to win her heart. I think
I can take the risk of your challenging me to mortal combat."

He looked with a challenging smile at Tony, who laughed, imagining that
he was making a jest of the whole affair.

"I hardly fancy it will be a case of 'pistols for two; coffee for
one,'" Tony said; "and I feel sure you will be able to make peace with
Myra. As a matter of fact, Don Carlos, I am beginning to wonder now if
Myra has been pulli