r.

Meryl rose hurriedly, blushing to the roots of her hair, while
Stanley, secretly much amused, stood up likewise. Only the culprit
remained unperturbed to outward seeming, glancing archly round.

"I'm afraid you overheard what I said ... _Major_ Carew.... I'm quite
ready to apologise, only ..."

"Please, don't...." For one instant the coldly even voice had a tiny
inflection in it, as of humour, though he stifled it immediately, as
he turned to Meryl and said, gravely, with a bow, "Miss Pym, I
think?... A letter has come for you from Edwardstown by runner. I
brought it on in case you might wish to send a reply, and to enquire
if you are quite comfortable here for the night."

Meryl took it from him, thanking him in her low, sweet voice, and with
a rather shy, upward glance. And Diana, in the shadow, saw the soldier
suddenly flinch and suddenly grow sterner, standing in an attitude of
almost unnatural rigidity.

"There is no heed to reply," Meryl said, after reading her note. "It
is only a message from father to say he may be detained until
afternoon. Thank you so much for bringing it. Won't you sit down? Can
I offer you anything? I'm afraid there is not much choice. Father does
not like luxuries in the wilderness, and we only carry whisky."

"No, thank you." The tones were even again now, and he made no
movement towards a chair. "Have you everything you need for the
night? I hope Mr. Stanley has made himself very useful?"

"He has been splendid. I am only afraid we have tired him out. Won't
you sit down?" and she shyly motioned to a chair.

"Thank you. I'm afraid I must get back. I have some despatches to
write. Would you like a police-boy to keep guard here all night? There
is nothing whatever to fear, but if it would add to your comfort?..."

"O no, thank you," warmly. "We are not in the least nervous. I think
there are no lions very near," with a little laugh.

Diana, lying back in her chair, had scarcely taken her eyes off the
tall soldier, though she watched him covertly, and without seeming to;
and her quick brain perceived dimly that his aloof attitude was partly
a mask which had become a habit, and that, however much he suppressed
her, there was nothing whatever repellant about his chilly reserve.
And then, suddenly, the little mischievous devil possessed her again,
and she longed to try her arts upon him, just to see what happened,
and to show him she was not seriously in the least afraid of him.