inued to discuss the question; then Katherine,
thinking that it behoved her to acquaint Madame Bernstein with the fact
of her lover's arrival, departed into the house. A few moments later
she returned, accompanied by the lady in question, who greeted Brown
with her usual enthusiasm.

"Ah, monsieur," she cried, "you do not know how _triste_ this poor
child has been without you. She has counted every day, almost every
minute, until she should see you."

On hearing this Browne found an opportunity of stroking his
sweetheart's hand. Madame Bernstein's remark was just the one of all
others that would be calculated to cause him the greatest pleasure.

"And now, monsieur, that you are here, what is it you desire we should
do?" inquired Madame, when they had exhausted the topics to which I
have just referred.

"We must be content to remain here for at least another fortnight,"
said Browne. "The arrangements I have made cannot possibly be
completed until the end of that time."

"Another fortnight?" exclaimed Madame, in some astonishment, and with
considerable dismay. "Do you mean that we are to remain idle all that
time?"

"I mean that we must enjoy ourselves here for a fortnight," Browne
replied. Then, looking out into the street at the queer characters he
saw there--the picturesque dresses, the _jinrickshas_, and the thousand
and one signs of Japanese life--he added: "Surely that should not be
such a very difficult matter?"

"It would not be difficult," said Madame, as if she were debating the
matter with herself, "if one had all one's time at one's disposal, and
were only travelling for pleasure; but under the present circumstances
how different it is!" She was about to say something further, but she
checked herself; and, making the excuse that she had left something in
her room, retired to the house.

"Do not be impatient with her, dear," said Katherine softly, when they
were alone together. "Remember that her anxiety is all upon my
account."

Browne admitted this, and when he had done so the matter was allowed to
drop.

CHAPTER XXIV

That afternoon they boarded the yacht, and Katherine renewed her
acquaintance with Jimmy Foote. Maas was also introduced to her, and
paid her the usual compliments upon her engagement. Later she explored
the yacht from stem to stern, expressing her delight at the
completeness of every detail. The pleasure she derived from it,
however, was as nothing compared wit