that desire, really. There are so
many things which I do not understand. That it is dull here for you,
of course, is natural, but there is something more than that. You
seem always to fear something. Your uncle is a selfish man, naturally,
although to look at him he seems to have the disposition of an angel.
But beyond that, is there anything of which you are afraid? You seem all
the time to live in fear."

She suddenly clutched his hand. There was nothing of affection in her
touch, and yet he felt a thrill of delight.

"There are strange things which happen here," she whispered, "things
which neither Gerald nor I understand. Yet they terrify us. I think
that very soon the end will come. Neither of us can stand it very much
longer. We have no friends. Somehow or other, he seems to manage to keep
us always isolated."

"I shall not go away from here," Hamel said firmly, "at present. Mind,
I am not at all sure that, living this solitary life as you do, you have
not become a little over-nervous; that you have not exaggerated the fear
of some things. To me your uncle seems merely quixotic and egregiously
selfish. However that may be, I am going to remain." She clutched once,
more at his arm, her finger was upraised. They listened together. From
somewhere behind them came the clear, low wailing of a violin.

"It is Mr. Fentolin," she whispered. "Please come in; let us go in at
once. He only plays when he is excited. I am afraid! Oh, I am afraid
that something is going to happen!"

She was already round the corner and on her way to the main terrace. He
followed her closely.

CHAPTER XVI

"Let us follow the example of all great golfers," Hamel said. "Let
us for this morning, at any rate, imagine that your whole world is
encompassed within these eighteen holes. We have been sent here in a
moment of good humour by your tyrant uncle. The sun shines, and the wind
is from the west. Why not?"

"That is all very well for you," she retorted, smiling, "but I have
topped my drive."

"Purely an incident," he assured her. "The vicissitudes of the game do
not enter into the question. I have driven a ball far above my usual
form, but I am not gloating over it. I prefer to remember only that I am
going to spend the next two hours with you."

She played her shot, and they walked for a little way together. She was
suddenly silent.

"Do you know," she said finally, just a little gravely, "I am not at all
used to speeches of