ul."

"Why, of course, my dear chap. But how about the fitness of parting
with that pony just before the tournament? As captain of the team, do
you think you are acting quite fairly by the Regiment?"

The shot told. Among soldiers of the best sort the Regiment is apt to
be a fetish, and to Desmond the lightest imputation of disregard for
its welfare was intolerable.

"Is that how the other fellows look at it?" he asked, a troubled note
in his voice.

"Well, if they do, one can hardly blame them. They naturally want to
know what you mean to do about the tournament after you have let your
best pony go? I take it for granted that you have some sort of plan in
your head."

"Yes. I am counting on you to lend me Esmeralda. It's only the 6th
now; and if I train her for all I'm worth between this and the 20th, I
can get her up to the scratch."

Paul's answering smile was oddly compact of tenderness and humour.

"So that's your notion? You'll deign to make use of me so far? Upon my
soul, Theo, you deserve that I should refuse, since you won't give me
the satisfaction of doing what would be far more to the purpose."

Desmond looked his friend steadily in the eyes.

"You'll not refuse, though," he said quietly, and Paul shook his head.
By way of thanks, Theo laid his hand impulsively upon Wyndham's arm.

"I'm sure you understand, dear old man, that it's not easy or pleasant
for me to part with Diamond, or to shut you out and refuse your help;
but I can't endure that the rest of them should think me slack or
careless of their interests."

"They know you far too well to think anything of the sort. By the way,
what arrangements are you making for Lahore?"

"None at all. Honor will go, I daresay; and I shall run down for the
polo. But fifteen days' leave is out of the question."

Paul turned sharply in his saddle.

"Now, look here, Theo--you're going too far. I make no offer this
time. I simply insist!"

Desmond hesitated. The thought of Evelyn was knocking at his heart.

"You know I hate accepting that sort of thing," he objected, "even
from you."

Wyndham laughed.

"That's your peculiar form of selfishness, my dear chap. You want to
keep the monopoly of giving in your own hands. Very wholesome for you
to have the tables turned. Besides," urged the diplomatist, boldly
laying down his trump card, "it would be a great disappointment to
your wife not to go down with us all and see the matches."

"Yes. That's jus