sentiment. I had a very excellent but solitary
breakfast this morning, and it seems a long time ago."

"It seems amazing to think that you spent last night at The Sanctuary,"
she reflected.

"And that you and I were in a punt," he reminded her, "in the pool of
darkness where the trees met, and the lilies leaned over to us."

"And you nearly upset the punt."

"Nothing of the sort! As a matter of fact, I was very careful. But," he
proceeded, with a sudden wave of memory, "I don't think my heart will
ever beat normally again. It seemed as though it would tear its way out
of my side when I leaned towards you, and you knew, and you lay still."

She laughed.

"You surely didn't expect I was going to get up? It was quite
encouragement enough to remain passive. As a matter of fact," she went
on, "I couldn't have moved. I couldn't have uttered a sound. I suppose
I must have been like one of those poor birds you read about, when some
devouring animal crouches for its last spring."

"Compliments already!" he remarked. "You won't forget that my name is
Francis, will you? Try and practise it while I carve the chicken."

"You carve very badly, Francis," she told him demurely.

"My dear," he said, "thank heavens we shall be able to afford a butler!
By-the-bye, I told your father this morning that I was going to marry
you, and he didn't seem to think it possible because he had two million
pounds."

"Braggart!" she murmured. "When did you see my father?"

"He came to my rooms in the Temple soon after I arrived this morning. He
seemed to think I might know where you were. I dare say he won't like me
for a son-in-law," Francis continued with a smile. "I can't help that.
He shouldn't have let me go out with you in a punt."

There was a discreet knock at the door. Brooks made his apologetic and
somewhat troubled entrance.

"Sir Timothy Brast is here to see you, sir," he announced. "I ventured
to say that you were not at home--"

"But I happened to know otherwise," a still voice remarked from outside.
"May I come in, Mr. Ledsam?"

Sir Timothy stepped past the servant, who at a sign from Francis
disappeared, closing the door behind him.

CHAPTER XXII

After his first glance at Sir Timothy, Francis' only thought was for
Margaret. To his intense relief, she showed no signs whatever of terror,
or of any relapse to her former state. She was entirely mistress of
herself and the occasion. Sir Timothy's face was cold and