the confidence, and
went far to persuade Walpole, that though bank-stock might be a surer
investment, there were paying qualities in certain women that in the end
promised larger returns than mere money and higher rewards than mere
wealth. 'Yes,' cried he to himself, 'this is the real change of front--this
has all in its favour.'

Nor yet all. Strong as Walpole's self-esteem was, and high his estimate of
his own capacity, he had--he could not conceal it--a certain misgiving as
to whether he really understood that girl or not. 'I have watched many a
bolt from her bow,' said he, 'and think I know their range. But now and
then she has shot an arrow into the clear sky, and far beyond my sight to
follow it.'

That scene in the wood too. Absurd enough that it should obtrude itself at
such a moment, but it was the sort of indication that meant much more to a
man like Walpole than to men of other experiences. Was she flirting with
this young Austrian soldier? No great harm if she were; but still there had
been passages between himself and her which should have bound her over to
more circumspection. Was there not a shadowy sort of engagement between
them? Lawyers deem a mere promise to grant a lease as equivalent to a
contract. It would be a curious question in morals to inquire how far the
licensed perjuries of courtship are statutory offences. Perhaps a sly
consciousness on his own part that he was not playing perfectly fair made
him, as it might do, more than usually tenacious that his adversary should
be honest. What chance the innocent public would have with two people
who were so adroit with each other was his next thought; and he actually
laughed aloud as it occurred to him. 'I only wish my lord would invite us
here before we sail. If I could but show her to Maude, half an hour of
these women together would be the heaviest vengeance I could ask her! I
wonder how could that be managed?'

'A despatch, sir, his lordship begs you to read,' said a servant, entering.
It was an open envelope, and contained these words on a slip of paper:--

'W. shall have Guatemala. He must go out by the mail of November 15.
Send him here for instructions.' Some words in cipher followed, and an
under-secretary's initials.

'Now, then, for the "change of front." I'll write to Nina by this post.
I'll ask my lord to let me tear off this portion of the telegram, and I
shall inclose it.'

The letter was not so easily written as he thought--at