ld Carleton, and other men who
were amused or made curious by the sudden change in him. He had a "new
interest in life," he explained; and every one took it for granted that
he meant the villa, now his own. But he never said it was that which had
made life better worth living for him.

"If it's a question of bare endurance of me, I'll go," he answered
Mary's greeting, "and leave you to walk by yourself."

"No," she assured him. "I'd really like to have you. I thought I wanted
to be alone. But I see now that being with you is better."

Hannaford drew in a long breath of the exquisite air, and looked up into
the sunshine as if for once he did not feel himself unfitted for the
light. "Do you really mean that, I wonder?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yes. I wouldn't say it if I didn't," Mary answered with complete
frankness. "How do you happen to be here at this time of day?"

"To tell the truth, I saw you go down the steps, and followed to ask the
same question."

"I came, because for some reason I have to be out of doors. I _couldn't_
go into the Rooms! I'd take a long walk, if I knew where to go."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it. Will you let me guide you somewhere, and
give you a surprise?"

Mary looked undecided. "I'd like that. But I have an engagement this
afternoon. Not in the Casino--or anywhere at Monte Carlo. It's up at
Roquebrune. I have promised to go and see the--the cure's garden there."

"I'll bring you back from my expedition in plenty of time, if that's
all," said Hannaford. He did not urge, but Mary knew that he very much
wanted her to say yes.

"Will it be out of doors?"

"All the time out of doors, except for a few minutes when you're looking
at a curiosity. First we have to get to Mentone. I'll spin you over
there in a taxi. Then we can walk to--to the surprise. I'm sure you've
never been."

"Is it to see your villa?" Mary asked, for he had suggested her going
there some day.

"No, for I wouldn't take you to my house alone. We're not very
conventional, you and I, I'm afraid; but there must be a party for your
first visit to my 'castle in Spain' transplanted into Italy. I'll give
you, and any people you like to ask, a picnic luncheon over there. But
to-day I want you to lunch with me alone somewhere."

There was rather an odd ring in his voice, which made Mary look up
quickly, but his face was calm, even stolid, as usual; and she thought
that she had been mistaken. She put herself quietly into