an address to Miss King and Major Kent.

"This," said Meldon, "is awkward, uncommonly awkward. You see the
result of being late, Simpkins. The judge has evidently given you up,
and come down from the river. What the Major is doing here, I can't
say. He's the sort of man who will blunder, if blundering is possible."

"I think," said Simpkins, "that we'd better turn back. I can call
to-morrow instead."

"Certainly not," said Meldon. "It'll be all right. The judge knows
what is expected of him, and will disappear at once, making a plausible
excuse, so as not to embarrass Miss King unnecessarily. I shall deal
with the Major. It won't take me five minutes."

"Still," said Simpkins, "it might be better--"

"You can't run away now, in any case," said Meldon. "They've seen
us.--Hullo, Miss King! Here we are at last. I'm sure you thought we
were never coming."

He dragged Simpkins forward by the arm. Miss King, blushing deeply, to
Meldon's great delight, rose from her chair and came forward to meet
them. The judge, a broad smile on his face, followed her. The Major
hung about in the background, and appeared to be nervous.

"You'd like some tea, I'm sure," said Miss King.

"Not for me," said Meldon; "but Mr. Simpkins will be delighted to get a
cup."

"Oh! but you must have some," said Miss King. "You look so hot."

"Mr. Simpkins is hot. I'm not in the least. In fact, what I'd like
most would be a short stroll up the river with Sir Gilbert and the
Major."

"Certainly," said the judge. "I've had my tea, and I'm quite ready for
a walk."

"Come along, Major," said Meldon.

Major Kent showed no sign of moving. He had established himself behind
Miss King's chair, and was eyeing Simpkins with an expression of
hostility and distrust.

"Never mind the Major," said the judge. "He's all right where he is."

He took Meldon's arm as he spoke and strolled off across the lawn.
Meldon turned and winked angrily at the Major. The judge began an
account of the capture of his last salmon, holding fast to Meldon's arm.

"Excuse me one moment," said Meldon. "I must give the Major a hint.
He's one of those men who, though extremely kind and sympathetic, is
often a little wanting in tact."

"He's all right," said the judge. "He's quite happy."

"I daresay he is," said Meldon. "My point is that Simpkins isn't. How
can he possibly--?"

"Now that we're out of earshot," said the judge, "I hope that you'll
a