that I'm lucky to have two citrons,
where he had three. I've let the first sylph vanish, and if I don't
secure the second, I need never hope to get such another present of
fairy citrons, for they'll have run out of stock."

The thought of going gray-haired to my grave, bereft of Phyllis and Nell
citrons, all through my own folly, made me feel elderly at twenty-seven;
and perhaps my day of gloom was not wasted, because, long before the red
car brought back the girl I have lost and the girl I have still to win,
I had made up my mind to propose to Miss Van Buren before I should be
twenty-four hours older.

When Alb appeared, it seemed that he had been among his aquatic friends,
tactfully seeking news of Sir Alec MacNairne and "Wilhelmina." But he
had learned nothing; and we had to console each other by saying that "no
news is good news." There's a chance, of course, of running across him
again in Zeeland: but it's only one in ten, for there are other places
where he is more likely to be pursuing us, since he lost the trail in
Leeuwarden. Or perhaps he has given up the idea that Aunt Fay is on
Rudolph Brederode's boat, and has gone to search for her in some other
less watery country. In any case, the trip will be over in a few days
now; and once the L.C.P. has vanished with Tibe into the vast obscurity
whence she emerged in answer to my advertisement, poor hot-tempered Alec
may pounce upon me when he likes.

If I can persuade Nell that she and I were born for each other, as
Robert seems without difficulty to have persuaded Phyllis in his
regard, it ought to be easy to convince her that a sin for her sake is
no sin. Having confessed all, and been forgiven, I can defy Alec to do
his worst.

As for Alb, he has had his fun for his wages. And there are many
beautiful girls in Holland and other countries, who ask nothing better
than to become Jonkheeresses.

XXXIV

Robert came on board with us as a matter of course in starting for
Zeeland. Has he not more right than I to the deck of "Mascotte," as the
cousin of the owner and the fiance of her stepsister? He and Phyllis
were the only ones among us who had the same air of cheerful,
light-hearted anticipation at setting off for new scenes, which all used
to have when the trip was but a few days old. For them there is no
thought of any end, since the tour of life together is just beginning,
full petrol ahead.

Even when she was "Lorelei," and had no concealments from