l begin to peep into the kingdom of God which is in you. You
will see how wonderful it is. Love will hold out its arms to you from
every passing cloud, from every comer of the wilderness. I am to
blame, for I only tried to banish you, instead of helping you. I must
begin to-day. We must all help each other by our thoughts as well as
by our actions. Do you understand? I, who ought to have known better,
have failed."

Millicent took his hand and raised it to her lips. "Why should God
have so blessed Margaret Lampton?" she said. "She is your 'guarded
lady,' as Hassan would say."

"When you know her better, you will see that it is not Meg, but I, who
have been blessed, I who have reason to be thankful. Margaret's
thoughts constantly reach me; they have helped me over and over again."

"Will you forgive me, Mike?"

"Of course I will," he said. "Else how could I help you?"

"It's your very goodness I love, Michael. I realize that. And yet how
horribly I have tried to spoil it!"

"We are going to start afresh, we understand each other." He looked at
her with sincere eyes. "Isn't that so? Do you want me for your
friend, Millicent?"

"More than anything in the world . . . except . . ." she paused.
". . . except . . ."

His eyes held hers; they became stern. "We have settled all that. You
know now that it can never be, and if I am to be your friend, you must
forget all that you have ever said."

"Yes, yes--the crumbs, Mike, they are sweeter than nothing."

"My help," he said, "and sympathy--that is what I can give you."

"And may I remain in your camp for a little time?"

"No." His voice was firm. "We must part. But that will make no
difference. I will help you, I promise. I can help you as Margaret
helps me."

Millicent made no demur. It was useless. "Will the saint be well
enough to travel to-morrow, do you think?"

"I don't know. His headache was better this morning. If he can retain
some food, he may soon pick up."

"And you will go on to Akhnaton's tomb?" Millicent did not refer to
the buried treasure.

"Whenever he is better." Michael looked at his watch. "We had better
be going back," he said. "I want to make preparations."

"And I am to return to civilization!"

Michael did not answer. He called Hassan. "We are ready, Hassan," he
said.

In a short time they were off.

Before mounting her camel Millicent said: "Thank you, Michael. I don't
deserve your kindness."