d
he would pay a visit to them for a few days.

"Our game is not yet finished, Mr Englishman," he muttered to himself.
"No, not yet finished!"

When the train reached Nimes, Riviere alighted from a first-class
compartment, quite unconscious of being followed by the young Provencal
from a third-class compartment. Outside the station, in the broad Avenue
de la Gare that leads to the heart of the town, Riviere hailed a cab and
gave the address, Villa Clementine.

Crau was near enough to overhear.

"Villa Clementine," he repeated to himself, and again "Villa
Clementine," to fit it securely in his memory. Then his lips worked with
passionate revenge as he thought: "You have spoilt my looks, Mr
Englishman; and now, _sangredieu_, to spoil yours!"

Before going to his relations, he went first to a chemist's.

CHAPTER XIII

AT THE MAISON CARREE

The mystery of John Riviere intrigued Elaine. There was certainly a
mysterious something about this man which she had not fathomed. His most
open confidences held deep reserves. If he had not avowed himself a
scientist, she would have classed him as a man of business. In those
brief comments on Stock Exchange speculation, he had spoken in a tone of
easy authority which goes only with intimate knowledge. He was no
recluse, but a man of the world--a man who had clearly moved amongst men
and women and held his place with ease.

The idea that he was a boor had been entirely shelved. But why that
brusque, boorish disappearance from Arles?

Elaine, thinking matters over in the solitude of her room on the evening
of the second encounter, was beginning to regret her resolve to humble
John Riviere. It began to appear petty and unworthy. She had no doubt
now that she could bring him to her feet if she wished, by skilful
acting. Or even--in her thoughts she whispered it to herself--or even
without acting a part.

But that thought she thrust aside. She had her work to do in the
world--the work that she loved. It called imperiously for all her
energies. She was free, she was independent, her daily bread was of her
own buying; and she wished circumstances to remain as they were.

Elaine decided to give up her petty resolve. She would avoid meeting him
intentionally, and if they met, she would bring the plane of
conversation down again to the superficiality of mere tourist
acquaintanceship--"meet to-day and part to-morrow."

For his part, Riviere had found keen enjoyment in thi