it
off."

"Yes. Come on."

"You can't," said Romer. "The lawn wants mowing."

CHAPTER XXVI

IN THE ROSE GARDEN

"How lovely this place must look at dawn!"

"By Jove! That's an idea, Gillie," said Harry. "It must look glorious."

They were sitting in the rose garden with Valentia. It was still quite
light, though the sunset glow had nearly faded. There was a rich mellow
tone in the sky, a promise of peace, a feeling that it was the end of
the day, which, combined with the almost cloyingly sweet scent of the
roses, was enough to make any one feel poetical.

"To think we've never seen the sun rise here!" exclaimed Valentia.

Romer here joined them, smoking a cigarette.

"Hasn't Romer ever seen the sun rise here?" Vaughan asked.

"Never," said Romer.

"Why not?"

"I don't know. I suppose because it always happens after I've gone to
bed," he answered drily.

"Let's sit up all night and see it to-morrow," suggested Valentia.

"Yes. Capital! Do let us!" said Harry.

Romer did not appear much taken with this scheme.

"Oh no, you mustn't _sit_ up," said Vaughan. "That's not the way to see
it."

"Is there so much difference between staying up and getting up then?"
Val asked.

"Yes, indeed, all the difference in the world. You must get up fresh,
with the birds."

"What time do birds get up? Is it _very_ early?"

"It would do if you were out at three this time of the year, or even at
four."

"Well, let's do it!"

"Oh, I don't think I shall," said Harry.

He looked at Valentia.

She answered--

"You might make a sketch, you know, of the early birds getting up to
catch the worms. But--I don't think I shall. Anyhow, not _to-morrow_ at
_half-past three_."

"All right," said Harry with a nod, "we won't. Don't tell Daphne, or
she'll be out at 3.15 to the tick, to take a snapshot of the dawn."

"A snapshot of the dawn! Wouldn't that be sacrilege?"

"Young girls are always inclined to that. They're so prosaic," said
Harry, getting up. "I must go and see what Van is doing."

He walked away with his usual quick, supple step and casual bearing.
They watched his slim figure as he went. Then Romer followed him,
slowly.

Vaughan turned to Valentia and said: "I shouldn't if I were you."

"Wouldn't what?"

"Why, meet Harry at half-past three to-morrow morning in the rose
garden."

"Good gracious! I never thought of doing such a thing. Besides, it was
your idea.... As a matter of fact, I real