of the moment. "What are my plans, you
asked? I haven't any. I'm a man at a loose end and at a beginning--like
all the world, as you yourself just stated."

"Yes, but----"

"I know what you're going to say--that every one has to live somewhere.
I have a place all right--my old place."

"Shall I tell Prentys to drive you there?"

He shook his head and thrust out his long legs, throwing his weight more
heavily against the cushions. "Not unless you didn't read my letter."

Her habitual sunniness clouded. "Tabs, you're trying to be beastly. If I
hadn't read it, I shouldn't have known to have met you, or when, or
where."

"Then you remember that it reminded you of----"

She cut him short, glancing furtively at the girl at the wheel to see
whether she had been listening. "I don't forget easily. Where do you
want to go? Would a run into the country suit you?"

"Excellently."

"In what direction?"

"Makes no difference."

She whispered something to the girl; the car semi-circled and gathered
speed, shooting through the traffic which was lumbering towards the
Fulham Road and Surrey.

Now that he had gained his point, he didn't seem inclined for
conversation. He lolled back with his eyes half-shut; she sat bolt
upright, ignoring his presence.

He recalled to-day as he had pictured it. Terry was to have been still
the girl-woman who had wanted him so badly that she had been brave
enough to ask for him. She was to have been precisely and in every
detail the girl from whom he had parted. She was to have been on the
platform waiting for him, and he....

Pshaw! What a sentimentalist and how easily disappointed! The old fight
was still on in another form. It was never ended. Life was a fight from
start to finish, calling for new and yet newer courage. He refused to be
defeated. He would not be embittered. He would win his kingdom round the
corner, even though it proved to be a different kingdom from the one he
had expected. Terry couldn't have stayed seventeen always, which was the
miracle he had demanded. She was a woman. He would have to teach her to
love him afresh. There was no time to be lost. For all he knew there
might be a rival--perhaps the mysterious some one at the War Office who
had lent her this car. He leant forward good-humoredly, touching her
hand to attract her attention, "Terry."

IV

She turned slowly, almost reluctantly. What new and disturbing question
was he going to ask? She hadn't been p