len invariably stood up for her ancestors, which was annoying to a
very modern young man who, not being aware of possessing any, considered
ancestors unnecessary and obsolete.

But to-day the glittering letters shone out to him as an omen.

He meant to conquer, in this, as in all else.

It was curious that Helen should have chanced upon the simile of a
distant journey. Another good omen! _In hoc vince!_

He heard her coming.

Now--how should he begin? He must be very tactful. He must break it to
her gently.

Helen, closing the door behind her, came slowly down the sunny room. The
graceful lines of her tall figure looked well, in the severe simplicity
of her riding-habit. Her mass of beautiful hair was tucked away beneath
her riding-hat. But nothing could take from the calm sweetness of her
face, nor the steady expectant kindness of her eyes. Helen's eyes always
looked out upon the world, as if they expected to behold a Vision
Beautiful.

As she moved towards the bay window, she was considering whether she
would decide to have her say first, or whether she would let Ronnie
begin. Her wonderful news was so all-important. Having made up her mind
that the time had come when she might at last share it with Ronnie, it
seemed almost impossible to wait one moment before telling him. On the
other hand, it would be so absorbing to them both, that probably
Ronnie's subject would be allowed to lapse, completely forgotten and
unmentioned. Nothing which was of even the most transitory interest to
Ronnie, ever met this fate at his wife's hands. Therefore the very
certainty that her news would outweigh his, inclined her to let him
speak first.

She was spared the responsibility of decision.

Ronald, turning quickly, faced his wife. Hesitation seemed futile;
promptness, essential. _In hoc vince!_

"Helen," he said, "I want to go to Central Africa."

Helen looked at him in silence, during a moment of immense astonishment.

Then she lifted his hat and gloves, laid them upon a table, seated
herself in her easy-chair, and carefully flicked some specks of dust
from her riding-habit.

"That is a long way to want to go, darling," she said, quietly. "But I
can see you think something of imperative importance is calling you
there. Sit down and tell me all about it, right from the beginning. It
is a far cry from our happy, beautiful life here, to Central Africa. You
have jumped me to the goal, without any knowledge of the way. Now