ter not encourage her, or there will be no end to
it."

But Chris, with her _fiance's_ hand fast in hers, was already at the
window.

"If you don't believe in it, don't come!" she threw back over her
shoulder. "Now, Trevor, you've got to turn your money, bow three times,
and wish. Do wish for something really good to make up for my bad luck!"

Mordaunt complied deliberately with her instructions, her hand still in
his.

"I have wished," he announced at length.

"Have you? What was it? Yes, you may tell me as I'm not doing any. Quick,
before Rupert comes!"

Her eager face was close to his. He looked into the clear eyes and
paused. "I don't think I will tell you," he said finally.

"Oh, how mean! And you would have missed the opportunity but for me!"

He laughed quietly. "So I should. Then I shall owe it to you if it comes
true. I will let you know if it does."

"You are sure to forget," she protested.

"No. I am sure to remember."

She regarded him speculatively. "I don't like secrets," she said.

"Haven't you any of your own?" he asked.

"No. At least--" she suddenly coloured vividly under his eyes--"none that
matter."

He sat down upon the balustrade of the balcony, bringing his eyes on a
level with hers. "None that you wouldn't tell me," he suggested, still
faintly smiling.

She recovered from her confusion with a quick laugh. "I shouldn't dream
of telling you--some things," she said.

Her hand moved a little in his as though it wanted to be free, but he
held it still. He bent towards her, his grey eyes no longer searching,
only very soft and tender.

"You will when we are married, dear," he said.

But Chris shook her head with much decision. "Oh, no! I couldn't
possibly. You would disapprove far too much. As Aunt Philippa says, you
would be 'pained beyond expression.'"

But Mordaunt only drew her nearer. "You--child!" he said.

She yielded, half-protesting. "Yes, but I'm not quite a baby. I think you
ought to remember that. Shall we go back? I know Rupert is sniggering
behind the curtain."

"I'll break his head if he is," said Mordaunt; but he let her go, as she
evidently desired, and prepared to follow her in.

They met Rupert sauntering out "to pay his respects," as he termed it,
though, if there were any luck going, he supposed that his future
brother-in-law had secured it all.

"Thought you didn't believe in luck," observed Mordaunt.

"I believe in bad luck," returned Rupert pessim