Saltash with a
comical twist of the eyebrows. "I didn't expect all these developments in
so short a time."

"There are no further rules to this game," said Juliet, squeezing
Columbus around his sturdy shoulders as he sat on the bench beside her.
"Whoever wins--or loses--no one has any right to complain."

She spoke without agitation, but her face was flushed, and there was
something about the clasp of her arm that made Columbus look up with
earnest affection.

"If that's so," said Saltash, "I can withdraw my protection without
compunction."

She smiled. "No doubt you can, most puissant Rex! But it really wouldn't
answer your purpose. You've nothing to gain by treachery to a friend, and
it would give you a horrid taste afterwards."

He made a face at her. "That's your point of view. And what am I to say
when I meet Muff and all the rest of the clan again?"

She gave a slight shrug. "Do you think it matters? They are much too
busy chasing after their own affairs to give me a second thought. If
I were Lady Jo, they might be interested--for half-an-hour--not a
minute longer."

Saltash made a mocking sound. "I know one person whose interest would
last a bit longer than that--if you were Lady Jo."

"Indeed?" said Juliet.

"Yes--indeed, _ma Juliette_! I met him the other day at the Club before I
went North, and it may interest you to know that he is determined to find
her--and marry her--or perish in the attempt."

"It doesn't interest me in the least," said Juliet.

"No? Hard-hearted as ever!" Saltash's grin was one of sheer mischief.
"Well, he seemed to share the popular belief that I know where the
elusive Lady Jo is to be found. I really can't think what I've done to
deserve such a reputation. I was put through a pretty stiff
cross-examination, I can tell you."

"I have no doubt you were more than equal to it," said Juliet.

Saltash broke into a laugh. "It was such a skilful fencing-match that I
imagine we left off much as we began. But I don't flatter myself that I
am cleared of suspicion. In fact it wouldn't surprise me at all to find I
was being shadowed--not for the first time in my disreputable career."

"I wonder when you will marry and turn respectable," said Juliet.

He made an appalling grimace. "Follow your pious example? May
heaven forbid!"

She looked at him, faintly smiling. "Wait till the real thing comes to
you, Charles Rex! You won't feel so superior then."

"Do you know how old I am?"