th
constraint. "But you'd do it in any case. It's a way you've got. See the
light breaking over there? It's like a sword--turning all ways." He rose
with an obvious effort and passed his hand across his eyes. "What of
you, man?" he said. "Have they been looking after you?"

"Oh, never mind me!" Bernard rejoined. "Have something to eat and turn
in! Yes, of course I'll join you with pleasure." He clapped an
affectionate hand upon his brother's shoulder. "It's a boy, I'm told.
Old fellow, I congratulate you--may he be a blessing to you all your
lives! I'll drink his health if it isn't too early."

Everard broke into a brief, discordant laugh. "You'd better go to
church, St. Bernard," he said, "and pray for us!"

He swung away abruptly with the words and crossed the room. The
crystal-clear rays of the new day smote full upon him as he moved, and
Bernard saw for the first time that his hair was streaked with grey.

CHAPTER III

PRINCESS BLUEBELL

To Bernard, sprawling at his ease with a pipe on the verandah some hours
later, the appearance of a small girl with bare brown legs and a very
abbreviated white muslin frock, hugging an unwilling mongoose to her
breast, came as a surprise; for she entered as one who belonged to the
establishment.

"Who are you, please?" she demanded imperiously, halting before him
while she disentangled the unfortunate Scooter's rebellious legs from
her hair.

Bernard sat up and removed his pipe. Meeting eyes of the darkest,
intensest blue that he had ever seen, he gave her appropriate greeting,

"Good morning, Princess Bluebell! I am a humble, homeless beggar, at
present living upon the charity of my brother, Captain Monck."

She came a step nearer. "Why do you call me that? You are not Captain
Monck's brother really, are you?"

He spread out his hands with a deprecating gesture. "I never contradict
royal ladies, Princess, but I have always been taught to believe so."

"Why do you call me Princess?" she asked, halting between suspicion and
gratification.

"Because it is quite evident that you are one. There is a--bossiness
about you that proclaims the fact aloud." Bernard smiled upon her--the
smile of open goodfellowship. "Beggars always know princesses when they
see them," he said.

She scrutinized him severely for a moment or two, then suddenly melted
into a gleaming, responsive smile that illuminated her little pale face
like a shaft of sunlight. She came close to him,