eager face had the delicate flush of a wild rose. The hair
clustered about her temples in tender ringlets of gold. Her eyes, blue
and shining, gave her the look of a child just awakened from happy
sleep--a child that expects to be lifted up and kissed.

"By--Jove!" murmured Bunny under his breath, staring openly. "By--Jove!"

And these words failed him. He had never been so astounded in his life.
This girl--this funny little Toby with the sharp features and pointed
chin, the girl-urchin with whom he had chaffed and played--was actually a
beauty, and till that amazing moment he had not realized the fact.

As he went forward to greet her, he saw that Larpent was staring also,
and he chuckled inwardly at the sight. Decidedly it must be a worse shock
for Larpent than it was for himself, he reflected. For at least he had
seen her in the chrysalis stage, though most certainly he had never
expected this wonderful butterfly to emerge.

Maud, of course, was the witch who had worked the marvellous
transformation, Maud with her tender mother-wisdom that divined so much.
He looked at her now, and wondered as he met her smile if she fully
realized what she had done.

Across the wonder came Saltash's quizzing voice--"_Mais, Nonette,
Nonette_, you are a vision for the gods!"

And a curious hot pang that was like a physical stab went through Bunny.
How dared Charlie use that caressing tone to her--as though she were a
mere ordinary woman to be trifled with and cajoled? He had never
disapproved of Saltash before, but for that moment he almost hated him.
She was too young, too sweet, too--different--to be treated thus.

And then he was standing close to her, and Saltash, laughing, pushed him
forward. "Do you know this fellow, _ma chere_?"

The wide blue eyes came up to his with a pleased smile of comradeship.
"Why, it's Bunny!" the clear voice said. "I'm so glad you're here too--in
this ogre's castle."

Her hand gave his a little confiding squeeze, and Bunny's fingers gripped
in answer. He realized suddenly that she was nervous, and all the ready
chivalry of his nature rose up to protect her. For a moment or two he
kept her hand close in his own.

Then Saltash airily took it from him. "Come!" he said lightly. "Here is
someone else you ought to know!"

He wheeled her round with the words. She came face to face with Larpent.
There was an instant of dead silence, then Toby uttered a little
quivering laugh.

"Hullo--Captain!"