eaming, for he stood holding the hand
of--and looking down into the exquisitely winning face of Hazel Brandon.

The said face was demureness itself, but the sparkle of repressed mirth
in the witching eyes told its own tale. Then, conscious that the gaze
of the room was on him--on them--Dick pulled himself together.

"You here?" he gasped, as he gave her his chair--in the incoherence of
mind born of the circumstances, overlooking the fact that another vacant
one next to it, and which he now took, had been turned down as a sign of
"engaged." "Er--do you know Mrs Waybridge?"

"Yes, we know each other," answered the latter for her. "You know"--to
Hazel--"I've been trying to persuade Mr Selmes to come out and stay
with us, now this afternoon, but he, for his part, has been trying to
find some excuse. Don't deny it, Mr Selmes"--with a laugh.

Dick felt cornered. Hazel at Komgha! There was no end to the surprises
in this land of surprises. Likely he was going somewhere else just as
he had discovered her presence here! What times they would contrive to
have!

"Well--er--Mrs Waybridge, I thought it might be more convenient--er--a
little later on," he began lamely. "When my damaged limb is quite all
right," he added, as if a bright idea had struck him.

"Well, it's our loss, I suppose, Mr Selmes," she answered. "But mind
you come as soon as you can."

Dick promised--even enthusiastically. Then he turned to Hazel.

"Where are you staying here? Are your people with you?"

"No. But I'm not staying here at all. I'm only in for the day. I'm
staying with Mrs Waybridge," she answered in an even, matter-of-fact
tone.

Heavens, what was this? Dick felt as if he had kicked himself out of
paradise, locked the door behind him and thrown away the key with his
own hand. How could he so much as have guessed that he had been doing
all he knew to forego another stay under the same roof with Hazel? He
stared at his plate--silently, blankly.

"Well, it's about time we thought of inspanning," said Mrs Waybridge.
"Now, Mr Selmes. It isn't too late to change your mind. What do you
say?"

Dick's face cleared. Here was a broad path out. He was unaware, too,
of the pressures of the foot under the table exchanged by the two ladies
as the richness of the joke unfolded itself. He only knew, with
inexpressible relief, that the situation was saved.

"Then I think I will change it," he answered, striving to quell the
eage