too cute! When they
parted, the fair American invariably said, "Pleased to have met you!"
and looked as though she meant it into the bargain, and Claire whole-
heartedly echoed the sentiment. She liked these women with their keen,
child-like enthusiasm, their friendly, gracious ways. In contrast to
them the ordinary Englishwoman seemed cold and aloof.

One brilliant afternoon when the Park was unusually bright and gay,
Claire was seated near the Achilles statue, carelessly scanning the
passers-by, when, with a sudden leap of the heart, she saw Erskine
Fanshawe some twenty yards ahead, strolling towards her, accompanied by
two ladies. He was talking to his companions with every appearance of
enjoyment, and had no attention to spare for the rows of spectators on
the massed green chairs. Claire felt the blood rush to her face in the
shock of surprise and agitation. She had never contemplated the
possibility of such a meeting, for Captain Fanshawe had not appeared the
type of man who would care to take part in a fashionable parade, and the
sudden appearance of the familiar face among the crowd made her heart
leap with a force that was physically painful. Then, the excitement
over, she realised with a second pang, almost as painful as the first,
that in another minute he would have passed by, unseeing, unknowing, to
disappear into space for probably months to come. At the thought
rebellion arose in her heart. She felt a wild impulse to leave her seat
and advance towards him; she longed with a sudden desperation of longing
to meet his eyes, to see his smile, but pride held her back. She sat
motionless watching with strained eyes.

One of Captain Fanshawe's companions was old, the other young--a pretty,
fashionably-dressed girl, who appeared abundantly content with her
escort. All three were watching with amusement the movements of a stout
elderly dame, who sauntered immediately ahead, leading by a leash a
French poodle, fantastically shaved, and decorated with ribbon bows.
The stout dame was evidently extravagantly devoted to her pet, and
viewed with alarm the approach of a jaunty black and white terrier.

The terrier cocked his ears, and elevating his stump of a tail, yapped
at the be-ribboned spaniel with all a terrier's contempt, as he advanced
to the attack. The stout dame screamed, dropped the leash, and hit at
the terrier with the handle of her parasol. The poodle evidently
considering flight the best po