its."

Cinders' growl became a snarl. He sucked up his breath in furious
protest, threatening murder. But the stranger's hand was not withdrawn.
On the contrary it advanced upon him with the utmost deliberation till
Cinders was compelled to jerk backwards to avoid it.

So jerking, he missed his footing as his mistress had before him, lost
his balance, and rolled, cursing, clinging, and clambering, over the edge
of the rock.

Had the Frenchman laughed at that moment he would have made an enemy for
life. But most fortunately he did not regard an antagonist's downfall as
a fit subject for mirth. In fact, being of a chivalrous turn, he grabbed
at the luckless Cinders, clutched his collar, and dragged him up again.
And--perhaps it was the generosity of the action, perhaps only its
obvious fearlessness--he won Cinders' heart from that instant. His
hostility merged into sudden ardent friendship. He set his paws on the
young man's chest, and licked his face.

Thenceforth he was more than welcome to sandals and towel and even the
effusive Cinders himself, who leaped around him barking in high delight,
and accompanied him with giddy circlings upon his return journey.

Chris, who had viewed the encounter from afar with much interest, clapped
her hands at their approach.

"And you weren't a bit afraid!" she laughed. "I couldn't think what you
would do. Cinders looked so fierce. But any one can see you understand
dogs--even English dogs."

"It is possible that at heart the English and the French resemble each
other more than we think, mademoiselle," observed the Frenchman. "One can
never tell."

He bent again over the injured foot with the sandal in his hand.

"It's very good of you to take all this trouble," said Chris abruptly.

He flashed her a quick smile. "But no, mademoiselle! It gives me pleasure
to be of service to you."

"I'm sure I don't know what I should have done without you," she
rejoined. "Ah, that is much better. I shall be able to walk now."

"You think it?" He looked at her doubtfully.

She nodded. "If you will take me as far as the sand, I shall do
splendidly then. You see, I can't let you come into Valpre with me
because--because--"

"Because, mademoiselle--?" Up went the black brows questioningly.

She flushed a little, but her clear eyes met his with absolute candour.
"We have a French governess," she explained, "who was brought up in a
convent, so she is very easily shocked. If she knew that