im to tell a deliberate untruth. Suddenly
he saw a way out of his difficulty.

"We shall meet in Japan, in all probability," he answered; "but she
will not go out with me."

"What a pity!" said Maas, who had suddenly become very interested in
what his companion was saying to him. "There is no place like a yacht,
I think, at such a time. I do not, of course, speak from experience; I
should imagine, however, that the rippling of the water alongside, and
the quiet of the deck at night, would be eminently conducive to
love-making."

To this speech Browne offered no reply. The train of thought it
conjured up was too pleasant, and at the same time too sacred, to be
shared with any one else. He was picturing the yacht making her way
across a phosphorescent sea, with the brilliant tropical stars shining
overhead, and Katherine by his side, the only sound to be heard being
the steady pulsation of the screw and the gentle lapping of the water
alongside.

At last the lights of Dover were to be distinctly seen ahead. The
passage had not been altogether a smooth one, and for this reason the
decks did not contain as many passengers as usual. Now, however, the
latter were beginning to appear again, getting their luggage together
and preparing for going ashore, with that bustle that usually
characterises the last ten minutes on board a Channel steamer. Always
an amusing and interesting companion, Maas, on this particular
occasion, exerted himself to the utmost to please. By the time they
reached Charing Cross, Browne had to admit to himself that he had never
had a more enjoyable journey. The time had slipped by so quickly and
so pleasantly that he had been permitted no opportunity of feeling
lonely.

"I hope I shall see you again before you go," said Maas, as they stood
together in the courtyard of the station on the look-out for Browne's
hansom, which was awaiting its turn to pull up at the steps. "When do
you think you will be starting?"

"That is more than I can tell you," said Browne. "I have a great many
arrangements to make before I can think about going. However, I am
certain to drop across you somewhere. In the meantime, can I give you
a lift?"

"No, thank you," said Maas. "I shall take a cab and look in at the
club before I go home. I could not sleep until I have heard the news
of the town; who has married who, and who has run away with somebody
else. Now, here is your cab; so let me wish you good-ni