in perilous seas, but it had never dragged.

"Tell me how to make friends--and keep them," she added gaily.

"If it be true I make friends, thee taught me how," he answered, "for
thee made me a friend, and I forget not the lesson."

She smiled. "Thee has learnt another lesson too well," she answered
brightly. "Thee must not flatter. It is not that which makes thee keep
friends. Thee sees I also am speaking as they do in Hamley--am I not
bold? I love the grammarless speech."

"Then use it freely to-day, for this is farewell," he answered, not
looking at her.

"This--is--farewell," she said slowly, vaguely. Why should it startle
her so? "You are going so soon--where?"

"To-morrow to London, next week to Egypt."

She laid a hand upon herself, for her heart was beating violently. "Thee
is not fair to give no warning--there is so much to say," she said, in
so low a tone that he could scarcely hear her. "There is the future,
your work, what we are to do here to help. What I am to do.

"Thee will always be a friend to Egypt, I know," he answered. "She needs
friends. Thee has a place where thee can help."

"Will not right be done without my voice?" she asked, her eyes half
closing. "There is the Foreign Office, and English policy, and the
ministers, and--and Eglington. What need of me?"

He saw the thought had flashed into her mind that he did not trust her
husband. "Thee knows and cares for Egypt, and knowing and caring make
policy easier to frame," he rejoined.

Suddenly a wave of feeling went over her. He whose life had been flung
into this field of labour by an act of her own, who should help him but
herself?

But it all baffled her, hurt her, shook her. She was not free to help as
she wished. Her life belonged to another; and he exacted the payment of
tribute to the uttermost farthing. She was blinded by the thought. Yet
she must speak. "I will come to Egypt--we will come to Egypt," she said
quickly. "Eglington shall know, too; he shall understand. You shall have
his help. You shall not work alone."

"Thee can work here," he said. "It may not be easy for Lord Eglington to
come."

"You pressed it on him."

Their eyes met. She suddenly saw what was in his mind.

"You know best what will help you most," she added gently.

"You will not come?" he asked.

"I will not say I will not come--not ever," she answered firmly. "It may
be I should have to come." Resolution was in her eyes. She was thinking
of Naho