you've got here then, after all? Well, Iris, shall we
go and get cool after that energetic waltz?"

They drifted out into the hall; and watching them go Anstice told
himself again that Cheniston had won the day.

* * * * *

"Shall we sit out, Dr. Anstice?" He thought Iris looked at him rather
strangely. "I ... I am rather tired--and hot--but still----"

"Let us sit out by all means, Miss Wayne. Shall we go into the
conservatory? It is quite cool there--and quiet."

She agreed at once; and two minutes later he found her a seat in a
corner beneath a big overshadowing palm.

Now that she was beside him he felt his self-control failing him. She
was so pretty in her white gown with the pearls on her neck and the
delicate moonstones dangling in her little ears....

"Dr. Anstice"--it was the girl who broke the silence--"do you know you
have treated us very badly of late? You have never been near us for
weeks, and our tennis match has not been decided after all!"

"I know I've behaved disgracefully"--his voice shook, and she half
regretted her impulsive words--"but--well, I'm not exactly a free agent,
Miss Wayne."

"No, I suppose a doctor rarely is," she answered thoughtfully; and he
did not correct her misapprehension of his meaning.

"But I don't want you to think me ungrateful for your kindness." So
much, at least, he might say. "If I have appeared discourteous, please
believe that in my heart I have always fully appreciated your
goodness--and that of your father."

She said nothing for a moment, looking down at her satin slippers
absently; and he did not attempt to interrupt her reverie.

Then, with rather startling irrelevance, she said slowly:

"Dr. Anstice, have you ever been in Egypt? I know you have travelled a
lot, and I thought perhaps----"

"No." Suddenly at this apparently innocent question a foreboding of evil
fell on Anstice's soul with a crushing weight. "As you say, I have
travelled a good deal; but somehow I have never visited Egypt. Why do
you ask?"

"Because----" For yet another moment Iris hesitated, as though uncertain
whether or no to proceed. And then, suddenly, she turned to face him
with something in her eyes which Anstice could not fathom. "I asked
because it is possible I may go to live in Egypt some day."

"I see," said Anstice very quietly. "You mean--Miss Wayne, I won't
pretend to misunderstand you--you mean that Cheniston has asked you to
marry