gestion appealed to him. He had a way with women of
a certain kind, and if his confidence had been rather shaken by Jean's
savagery and Lydia's indifference, he had not altogether abandoned the
hope that both girls in their turn might be conquered by the adoption of
the right method.

The method for dealing with Jean he had at the back of his mind.

As for Lydia--Jean's suggestion was very attractive. It was after a very
heavily unprofitable night spent at the Nice Casino, that he took his
courage in both hands and drove to the Villa Casa.

He was an early arrival, but Lydia had already finished her _petite
dejeuner_ and she was painfully surprised to see him.

"I'm not swimming to-day, Mr. Stepney," she said, "and you don't look
as if you were either."

He was dressed in perfectly fitting white duck trousers, white shoes,
and a blue nautical coat with brass buttons; a yachtsman's cap was set
at an angle on his dark head.

"No, I'm going out to do a little fishing," he said, "and I was
wondering whether, in your charity, you would accompany me."

She shook her head.

"I'm sorry--I have another engagement this morning," she said.

"Can't you break it?" he pleaded, "as an especial favour to me? I've
made all preparations and I've got a lovely lunch on board--you said you
would come fishing with me one day."

"I'd like to," she confessed, "but I really have something very
important to do this morning."

She did not tell him that her important duty was to sit on the Lovers'
Chair. Somehow her trip seemed just a little silly in the cold clear
light of morning.

"I could have you back in time," he begged. "Do come along, Mrs.
Meredith! You're going to spoil my day."

"I'm sure Lydia wouldn't be so unkind."

Jean had made her appearance as they were speaking.

"What is the scheme, Lydia?"

"Mr. Stepney wants me to go out in the yacht," said the girl, and Jean
smiled.

"I'm glad you call it a 'yacht,'" she said dryly. "You're the second
person who has so described it. The first was the agent. Take her
to-morrow, Marcus."

There was a glint of amusement in her eyes, and he felt that she knew
what was at the back of his mind.

"All right," he said in a tone which suggested that it was anything but
all right, and added, "I saw you flying through Nice this morning with
that yellow-faced chauffeur of yours, Jean."

"Were you up so early?" she asked carelessly.

"I wasn't dressed, I was looking out of the