I am
afraid this journey will take two and possibly three days."

"Then take us with you," said Diana at once.

"It is an unhealthy district or I would. I do not think it would harm
you, but I am afraid for Meryl." There was a slight pause, then he
added, "As we returned to-day we stayed for a cup of tea at the
mission station with Mr. and Mrs. Grenville. I happened to mention my
journey, and Mrs. Grenville said she would be delighted if you would
both go and spend the two or three days with her."

"But I want to come with you," Diana cried; and leaning towards him
added confidently, "Uncle, you will have to take me; don't make a
fuss."

"Why shall I have to take you?" with amusement in his small, keen
eyes.

"Because I have made up my mind to go," was the prompt rejoinder; and
he gave an amused chuckle.

"And what do you say, Meryl? Will you spend two or three days with
Mrs. Grenville?"

"I should like to, if Di really wants to go; otherwise we could quite
well have remained on here, couldn't we?" There was a note of anxiety
in her voice that she was unable to entirely hide. Only three more
days, and they to be spent several miles away!

"I do not particularly want to leave you here as long as that. I would
rather you visited Mrs. Grenville, and I think it would be an
interesting change. She invited you both."

"It was very kind of her," said Diana, "but I am quite decided about
wanting to go with you. I suppose we could both come?"

"I think I would as soon go to Mrs. Grenville"; and Meryl sat very
still, gazing at a distant star.

"What do you think?" said Mr. Pym to his engineer. "Will it be all
right for my niece to accompany us?"

"Why, yes, certainly, if she takes quinine regularly. It is a
beautiful neighbourhood. She can either ride her mule or be carried in
a machila."

Diana clapped her hands, feeling her point was won easily, and then
added, "Couldn't we take Mr. Stanley with us? He would so love the
shooting, and he is such good company."

"As I came past to-night I called in and asked both him and Major
Carew. Stanley accepted at once."

There was a slight movement where Meryl sat, but she did not speak;
and her father, almost as if with intent, kept his eyes turned away.

"What did Major Carew say?" asked Diana.

"He was uncertain. He thought he might be obliged to go to Edwardstown
on business, and he left the question open."

Diana laughed. "He wanted to make quite certain sure