one so, and Diana being the reckless
scatterbrain she was, still chose to dally on the primrose path of
danger. It was hard to know what to do.

On the main deck dancing was in full swing, and the first sight that
met her eyes was Diana and Bellew scampering in a tango. Diana wore a
satin gown of curious blue that gleamed and shone like the blue light
of sulphurous flames, and as she danced she trilled a little French
song that was often on her lips:

"Tout le mond
Au salon
On y tan-gue, on y tan-gue,
Tout le mond
Au salon
On y tan-gue, tout en rang."

It was a parody on an old South of France chanson, and everyone was
singing it in Paris that year. Someone far down the deck, who had
evidently read the original in Alphonse Daudet's _Lettres de Mon
Moulin_, took up the refrain:

"Sur le pont
D'Avignon
On y dan-se, on y dan-se,
Sur le pont
D'Avignon
On y dan-se, tout en rond."

Small use trying to stop her and speak serious things to her in that
mad frolic. April herself was whirled into the pool of music and
movement, and did not emerge until the band, at a late hour, struck up
the National Anthem. By special dispensation of the Captain, dancing
had been prolonged because it was the last ball of the voyage. The
next two nights were to be respectively devoted to a bridge-drive and a
grand farewell concert. However, only a score or so of the most ardent
dancers were left on deck when the final note of music sounded and the
lights went out with a click. Figures became wraith-like in the
moonlight, and April gave a sigh as her partner's arm fell from her
waist and they drew up by the ship's rail, where Vereker Sarle stood
watching them and smoking.

"And that's the end of the story," said she, laughing a little
ruefully. Her partner went away to get her a cold drink, and she half
expected Sarle to reproach her because it had been his dance and she
had purposely avoided dancing with him. But he only said: "Africa is
the beginning of many stories."

She shivered a little, though the night was warm.

"I am beginning to be afraid of her--this Africa of yours!"

"No need for you to be afraid anywhere," he smiled. "There will always
be those who will stand between you and fear."

"How little you know!" she said abruptly. "I haven't a friend in the
world."

There was a short silence, and they looked straight at each other, the
slim, tall girl in her diaphanous tulles, th