hough played with more grace and less of brute force and
violence.

Not a great many of the spectators understood the details of the
contest, but they cheered lustily when any side seemed to score an
advantage. The rainbow-hued living mass seemed to sway and melt and
break up into coloured spray, and join again and roll from side to
side like a living creature; and its evolutions were followed with
keenest interest by all spectators, and by cheering and shouts of
warning or encouragement from those who understood the game, and
knew which way the tide was turning.

At last the contest ended. Arthur Cole's side had come out
victorious in the struggle; but so gallant a stand had been made by
the other, that Anthony Dalaber was called up to receive a laurel
crown in token of his prowess and skill.

He looked very handsome as he stood before Freda, whilst she
lightly set the chaplet on his head, whence after a few moments he
removed it and laid it at her feet.

"That is the place where I would fain lay all my honours and all my
gains," he said in a low, passionate whisper, and she felt a wave
of hot blood rising in her cheek at his words and at the ardent
look in his eyes.

She could not doubt this man's love for her, and she wondered
whether it would compel her own love in return. A short while back
she had regarded him rather in the light of a comrade or brother;
but now she felt that a change had come over their relations, and
that he would not be satisfied with the sisterly affection of the
past. Had she more to give him? She scarcely knew herself as yet;
and still, as she revolved the matter in her mind, she felt more
and more convinced that without Anthony Dalaber her life would be
colourless and cold.

His eagerness brought an element into it which she could not well
spare. He was becoming a sort of necessity to her. She thought of
him almost constantly, yearned over him, desired above all things
to see him rise to the level of greatness in any trial which might
come upon him. If that were love, then surely she loved him.

The thought was not without a mingling of sweetness and pain. She
put it from her for the time being; but when the day was over, and
the sisters were alone together in their bed chamber, taking off
their finery and brushing out their long tresses of hair, it was
Magdalen's own words that brought the matter back, as she softly
kissed her sister, whispering:

"How Anthony loves you, Freda!