, but she would not hear.

"I am going to remember that always, for it is the biggest thing in
my life. And now, Burke, please tell me--for I've got to know--are
we quite ruined?"

He gave her an odd look. "What made you think of that?"

She coloured a little. "I don't know. I have been thinking about
it a great deal lately. Anyhow," she met his look almost
defiantly, "I've a right to think of it, haven't I? We're
partners."

"You've a right to do anything that seems good to you," he said.
"I am not absolutely down and out, but I'm pretty near it. There
isn't much left."

She squeezed his hands hard, hearing the news with no hint of
dismay. Her eyes were shining with the old high courage. "Never
mind, partner! We'll pull up again," she said. "We're a sound
working proposition, aren't we?"

He drew her suddenly and closely into his arms. "My own brave
girl!" he said.

* * * * *

Bill Merston came over in the evening, summoned by one of Burke's
Kaffirs, and they buried Guy under the shadow of the _kopje_ in
what in a few more days would be a paradise of flowers. The sun
was setting far away in an opalescent glow of mauve and pink and
pearl. And the beauty of it went straight to Sylvia's heart.

She listened to the Burial Service, read by Merston in his simple
sincere fashion, and she felt as if all grief or regret were
utterly out of place. She and Burke, standing hand in hand, had
been lifted above earthly things. And again there came to her the
thrilling certainty that Guy was safe. She wondered if, in his own
words, he had forgotten it all and started afresh.

Merston could not stay for the night. He looked at Sylvia rather
questioningly at parting.

She smiled in answer as she gave him her hand. "Give my love to
Matilda!" she said. "Say I am coming to see her soon!"

"Is that all?" he said.

She nodded. "Yes, that's all. No--one thing more!" She detained
him a moment. "Thank her for all she has done for me, and tell her
I have found the right mixture at last! She will understand,
or--if she doesn't--I will give her the recipe when I come."

He frowned at her with masculine curiosity. "What is it for? A
new kind of pickles?"

She turned from him. Her face was deeply flushed. "No. It's a
thing called happiness. Don't forget to tell her! Good-bye!^

"Then in heaven's name, come soon!" said Merston, as he mounted his
horse.

* *