ion, as I pointed out. And she certainly behaved wonderfully
well this afternoon, though she was about the only child who did. I
nearly throttled the Burton youngster for kicking the _ayah_, little
brute. He seemed to think it was a very ordinary thing to do." Bernard
stopped himself with a laugh. "You'll be bored with all this, and I must
go and make ready. There are to be Chinese lanterns to light the way and
a strip of red cloth on the steps. Peter is helping as usual, Peter the
invaluable. We shan't keep it up very late. Will you join us? Or are you
also bound for the Club?"

"I will join you with pleasure," Everard said. "I haven't seen the imp
for some days. There has been too much on hand. How is the boy, Stella?
Shall we go and say good-night to him?"

Stella had risen. She put her hand through his arm. "Bernard and Tommy
are to do all the entertaining, and you and I can amuse each other for
once. We don't often have such a chance."

She smiled as she spoke, but her lips were quivering. Bernard sauntered
away, and as he went, Everard stooped and kissed her upturned face.

He did not speak, and she clung to him for a moment passionately close.
Wherefore she could not have said, but there was in her embrace
something to restrain her tears. She forced them back with her utmost
resolution as they went together to see their child.

CHAPTER VI

THE SURPRISE PARTY

Punctually at eight o'clock Tessa arrived, slightly awed but supremely
happy, seated in a 'rickshaw, escorted by Bernard, and hugging the
beloved Scooter to her eager little breast.

Her eyes were shining with mysterious expectation. As her cavalier
handed her from her chariot up the red-carpeted steps she moved as one
who treads enchanted ground. The little creature in her arms wore an air
of deep suspicion. His pointed head turned to and fro with ferret-like
movements. His sharp red eyes darted hither and thither almost
apprehensively. He was like a toy on wires.

"He is going--p'raps--to turn into a fairy prince soon," explained
Tessa. "I'm not sure that he quite likes the idea though. He would
rather kill a dragon. P'raps he'll do both."

"P'raps," agreed Bernard.

He led the little girl along the vernadah under the bobbing lanterns.
Tessa looked about her critically. "There aren't any other children, are
there?" she said.

"Not one," said Bernard, "unless you count me. We are going to dine
together, you and I, quite alone--if you