is a very pleasant surprise, Lady Di!" he said easily, while his
eyes expressed the utmost amusement. "It must be nearly two years
since we met?"

"Oh, surely much longer than that?" she answered, and her smile was
almost as mocking as his. They stood taking each other's measure
whilst Sarle dragged forward some chairs. A faint admiration came into
the man's face. She was a fraud, and he knew that she knew that he
knew it, but he had also to acknowledge that there was fine metal in
her even for an adventuress. As a duellist at least she seemed worthy
of his steel. Besides, in her gown of faint lilac and her orchid-laden
hat she was a very entrancing vision. The duel might be picturesque as
well as piquant.

"I trust you left Lord Vernilands well?" he inquired politely. She dug
desperately in her mind for a moment. It seemed foolishly important to
be truthful, even though this man knew she was acting a lie.

"He is never very well in the winter," she answered, without any
apparent interlude for thought. Sir Ronald was even more pleased with
her.

"That is so," he agreed. "I remember when I left Bethwick that autumn
he was just in for his annual bout of bronchitis."

The two men sat down, and, with her permission, smoked. Sarle had
placed his chair where he could look full at her, missing no shade of
expression on her face. His frank warm eyes enfolded her in a gaze of
trust and devotion that was as patent to the other man as to her.
There was no peace for her in that gaze; things were too desperate for
that; but it nerved her resolution to fence to the death with this
polished gamester. She had her back to the wall, and resolved to die
fighting rather than make an ignominious surrender before the man she
loved.

Sarle looked from one to the other contentedly. For once his
far-seeing veld eyes played him false.

"I am so glad you two are friends," he said. Then, addressing April,
"Odd that we shouldn't have discovered it before, for, you know, Kenna
is my best friend, as well as my ranching partner."

PART III

They sat talking for close on two hours, and at the end of that time
April rose with a laugh on her lips and many a light and airy reason
why she could not stay. It was too hot, she must rest a little, she
had unpacking to do. Even after rising from her chair she lingered as
if regretful to go, but they could not persuade her to stay and have
tea with them. Presently she saunte