ation. You ought to travel: to see the world. I never met a woman
with so keen an appreciation of beauty. Gad! how you would enjoy India,
and the scenery we have over there. Last year we were stationed in the
north, above Darjeeling. I'd like to blindfold you, and take you to a
spot I know, and then take off the bandage, and show you--the snows!
That would be a moment worth living for."

"Ah, yes. Unfortunately, however, the climate of India is prejudicial
to my health," Juliet reminded him primly.

"Oh, hang the climate of India!" cried Antony Maplestone.

The Squire also was inclined to "hang" the Indian climate in its bearing
upon the health of his guest. He cross-questioned his prospective niece
upon the subject with increasing irritability.

"What's the matter with your health? You look strong enough. Can't
have a liver with that complexion. Can't have a heart, rushing about
all day long. Given it away, eh, what? Antony, what's wrong with her
heart?"

"Nothing, sir. It's a tip-top heart; in first-class working condition."

"What's wrong, then--what's wrong? Nothing but nerves and nonsense. If
I were a young man and my fiancee didn't care enough about me to face a
bit of discomfort, I'd--I'd comfort myself with the first nice girl that
_would_! If you let him go off to India alone, young lady, you'll have
yourself to thank if you are left in the lurch."

Juliet took out her handkerchief and pretended to cry. It was a comfort
to be able to hide one's face, and besides, just between herself and the
handkerchief there _was_ a tear. She _would_ be left in the lurch, and,
oh, my goodness, how dull it would be!

From the end of the room sounded three separate gasps of consternation.

"Leave heroine, uncle! It's my affair. Clare, _don't_ cry!"

"He doesn't mean it, dear; he doesn't mean it. Antony never would."

"Kiss her, you stupid fellow, kiss her! What's the use of glowering
there?"

Then, in the midst of a thrilling silence, Juliet felt strong arms
enfold her, felt the sweep of a moustache against her cheek. It was the
first, the very first time in the course of her twenty-six years that
any man but a blood relation had offered her a caress, and--she liked
the sensation! She felt a horrible, horrible inclination to abandon
herself to that strong support; to lift her own lips to meet his. The
rebound from the temptation gave energy to the gesture with which she
pushed him away and