exclusive for that."

Something must have gone very wrong indeed with the atmosphere for
Clive to start sneering. In truth some jangling element unnatural to
the sweet accord of Ho-la-le-la had been introduced, and did not leave
with the strangers.

They settled down to smoke in the studio, but there was more smoke
about than tranquillity. Sarle seemed distrait. _Belle_ Helene
sometimes cast an uneasy glance at April, who, still very pale, sat by
herself on the lounge. Only Clive and Kenna talked racily, but in
jerks, of cattle, fruit-blight, mules, and white ants. But presently
all subjects of conversation seemed to peter out, leaving a dark pool
of silence to form between them in the room. Kenna it was who threw
the stone disturbing those still waters.

"Has any one told you, Miss Connal, about the girl who committed
suicide on the _Clarendon Castle_?"

For a full moment not a word was spoken. Sarle, staring, made a
movement with his hand over his mat of hair. April's lids fell over
her eyes as though afflicted by a deadly weariness. Clive changed her
cigarette from one corner of her mouth to the other before answering
briefly:

"Yes; I know all about it." Which seemed to astonish Kenna.

"Oh!" he exclaimed. "I wish I did!"

It was Sarle's turn to look astonished.

"Why, Kenna, I told you everything there was to know. Besides, it was
in the papers."

"No, Kerry. You told me something . . . and the papers told me
something. _Everything_ can only be related by one person."
Dramatically he fixed his glance upon that person. There was no
mistaking the challenge. April found courage to return his glance, but
her eyes looked like the eyes of a drowning girl. At the sight of them
two people were moved to action. _Belle_ Helene rose and slipped from
the room. Sarle also rose, but it was to seat himself again by April's
side on the lounge.

"I don't understand what all this is about," he said quietly, "but it
seems a good time for you to know, Kenna, and you, Clive, that we"--he
took April's hand in his--"are engaged, and going to be married as soon
as possible."

Kenna looked at him with pity and tenderness.

"You had better let her speak, old man. It is time you were
undeceived."

"Be careful, Kenna."

"My dear Kerry, do you suppose that it gives me any pleasure to cause
you pain, or to distress this charming lady? Only my friendship for
you----"

"I can dispense with it," Sarle cur