d. There is nothing great about Como, nothing in the measured
beauty of her encircling hills to uplift or strike awe into the soul
of a man. She is exquisite, finished; a garden enclosed, a garden of
enchantment that speaks straight to the heart; and the banner over her
is peace.

Here Paul Wyndham--with the instinctive understanding that belongs to
a great love--had chosen to round off the wander-year devoted to his
friend. Throughout that year he had done all that one man may do for
another in his dark hour; and each week his conviction grew stronger
that Honor--and none but Honor--could do the rest. Let them only meet
again, in fresh surroundings, and Theo--already so very much her
friend--could not fail to come under her spell. His present seeming
disposition to avoid her Paul set down to her intimate association
with his wife. Six months' extension of leave had been granted to
both, and Paul looked to a summer in England to establish what Italy
had already begun.

Since that night at Le Trayas, when Theo had damned the Regiment and
confessed his dread of returning to Kohat, Paul had begun to be aware
of a change in his friend. Apathy had given place to restlessness, to
a craving for distraction that neither Nature nor Art could satisfy.
From place to place he had shifted like a man pursued. He fled as an
animal flies from a gadfly securely fastened into his flesh. Go where
he would, the passionate voice of his own heart spoke louder than
books and pictures, mountains and the sea, urging him always in the
one direction that his will was set to avoid.

Wyndham--aware of some inner struggle, while far from suspecting its
nature--reckoned it all to the good, since it implied that the real
man was astir at last. His suggestion of the Hotel Serbelloni at
Bellagio--diplomatically broached--had been hailed almost with
enthusiasm; and a month of Italy's April at its radiant best had
proven, past question, the wisdom of the move.

In those four weeks they had explored the length and breadth of the
lake with the restless energy of their race; had tramped the stony
roads of North Italy and climbed every height within reach.

Better than all, it was now Theo who planned their expeditions,
studied guide books and discussed local legends with his very good
friend the Head Waiter. Flashes of temper had become more frequent. He
could even be lured into argument again and grow hot over a game of
chess. Trivial details--but for