lame his curiosity by
telling him positively to clear.

"Then it is to be conditional," Dick said, just before they reached the
door.

"That's the word."

"On the terms named?"

"Exactly on the terms named."

"Good. I accept them--except as to the one-sided part of the business."

"That, too, I insist upon," she answered, with a smile and a bright nod,
as she left him.

Alone, for a brief space, Dick Selmes went over in his mind the
interview, so untowardly and exasperatingly interrupted, and was obliged
to admit to himself that his love and admiration for Hazel Brandon were,
if possible, deepened and intensified. Her beauty and bright, sweetness
of disposition had fascinated and captured him, but now he had awakened
to the fact that she possessed a rare depth of character indeed. He
knew now that she cared for him--yes, and that very deeply; he had read
it in the course of that interview by several unmistakable signs. Yet
she had deliberately, and of set purpose insisted upon that conditional
delay. It showed a worldly wisdom, a knowledge of human nature beyond
his own, he was constrained to admit; and in every way it was creditable
to her. Of the obstacle he made entirely light, for it was in reality
no obstacle at all except for the period of waiting involved.

And over himself some change had come. What was it? He felt a gravity
he had never felt before. The old, thistledown, light-hearted
recklessness seemed to have left him. His mind, attuned to a new and
set purpose, seemed to have altered, to have solidified. And yet,
realising this development, he rejoiced in it. He would not have
foregone it for the world. Henceforward his was a new being.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

SIGNS AND OMENS.

"Which way shall we go?" said Hazel. "Shall we ride over to Komgha?"

"I vote we go bang in the other direction," answered Dick Selmes. "The
township's all clatter and dust--and altogether abominable. Mrs
Waybridge was an angel of light when she cropped up and dragged me out
of it."

"Yes, you wanted some dragging, didn't you?" was the somewhat
mischievous rejoinder.

"As if I knew. Good Lord! what a narrow thing it was. And there I was,
cudgelling my muddy brains for some excuse, because I thought you were
staying in the town."

The two were on horseback. They had started off for an afternoon ride
together, all undecided as to where they should go. But there was one
place Dick Selmes was re