, and consequently does not see a queer
look flit swiftly across the face of her friend.

"I told you he wasn't young, and was said to be very reserved," pursues
the latter.

"Oh yes. A middle-aged fogey, you said."

Before she goes to sleep that night Mona Ridsdale lets her thoughts
dwell to a very great extent upon the stranger guest; and for his part,
the latter, but a few yards off, allows his thoughts to run very
considerably upon her.

That he does so evolves a kind of feeling of self-pity pity not far
removed from contempt, yet can he not help it. Beautiful, according to
the accepted canons of beauty, she is not, he decides. But of far
greater potency than the most faultlessly chiselled features, the
classic profile, the ivory-and-roses complexion, which she does not
possess, is a certain warm, irresistible power of attractiveness which
she does possess, and that to a dangerous degree--the strong
under-current of vitality pulsating beneath the dark-complexioned skin,
the faultless grace of movement, the straight glance from beneath those
clearly marked brows, the vast potentialities of passion that lurk
within the swiftly playing eyes. None of this escaped him--all was
summed up in the moment he stood face to face with her. In that moment
he has read a faulty character, full of puzzling inconsistencies; one
which attracts while it repels, yet attracts more than it repels, and it
interests him. Nevertheless, the steel armoury of defence, forged by a
life's strange experience, is around him. His mental attitude is that
of one who is thoroughly "on guard."

CHAPTER FIVE.

CONCERNING SMALL THINGS.

In due course of time--that is to say, from two to three weeks--
Gonjana's sentence was confirmed by the Eastern Districts Court--such
confirmation being required before a judgment involving lashes could be
carried out.

"It's hard lines on the poor devils, Musgrave," observed Mr Van Stolz,
as he received the confirmation. "Instead of getting their warming at
once, and have done with it, they're kept in gaol for about three weeks,
expecting it every day. It may be a necessary precaution with some
magistrates, but I have never had a conviction quashed or a judgment
upset. I don't say it to brag, but it's a fact. But--it's nearly
twelve o'clock now. We'll go down and see it done."

The gaol at Doppersdorp was an oblong brick building containing ten
cells. These formed three sides of a central cou