g of interest and pity for the good-looking hero of her chaperon's
impressive sketch.

Quite unintentionally this voluble lady had enlisted the mutual sympathy
of these young people; she had laid, so to speak, a match; whether a
mutual liking would ignite it or not was uncertain--but the prospect was
favourable.

CHAPTER X

THE LAND OF PROMISE

As the voyage progressed various groups thawed and amalgamated, even
"the Potter's Field" experiencing a temporary resurrection.
Theatricals, bridge tournaments and concerts brought the passengers
into touch with one another, the sole member who held herself augustly
aloof being Lady Puffle. She remained secluded in her cabin, or
occupied an isolated position on deck, appearing at dinner with a brave
show of appetite, diamonds and airs, paralysing her neighbours with a
petrifying stare. Occasionally she accorded a bow or "Good morning" to
her sole and necessary acquaintance, the ship's doctor, whom she
informed that in her position she was debarred from mixing with the
crowd--as later, in Rangoon, these people might presume on the
acquaintance.

One of the special events of the voyage was the two days' sports, and
here Shafto distinguished himself by winning a severe obstacle race; he
was a nimble, muscular youth, who, thanks to school games and the
gymnasium, climbed, ran, and leapt with inspirited agility, and when at
last he touched the winning tape, breathless but exultant, there was a
spontaneous outburst of clapping and cheers.

Prize-giving was the occasion of his triumph. This was his five
minutes, when he advanced to receive from Lady Puffle a clock, set of
studs and a thermos flask--all carefully laid in at Malta by the
provident "Amusements Committee." Shafto bore his honours modestly,
and was glared on by Bernhard who, drawn up beside her ladyship like an
Imperial Guardsman, presented an alarmingly militant and stern
appearance.

Between him and this particular "Englander" no love was wasted. Once,
when they had collided on the companion ladder, Shafto's agility alone
had saved him from a heavy fall, and the obstructor had neither looked
back nor offered apology. Probably he concluded that charming Miss
Leigh, who accompanied his songs with such delicate sympathy, accorded
too much of her society to this young man; and, after all, what was he?
A London clerk, going out to begin at the bottom of the ladder, as one
of Gregory's assistants. Natural