d betting that's half the
attraction. Just a showy bit of pluck, dashed off at a hot-headed
moment--and you women turn a man into a god on the strength of it! The
fellow got his chance, and took it--that's all."

It is of the nature of small minds to disparage great ones; and in
general Quita would have dismissed the matter with a light retort. But
in her present mood, the man's petty personalities jarred more than
usual. "I think we won't discuss Captain Desmond," she said without
looking round. "To pick holes in a man of that quality only seems to
accentuate one's own littleness."

"Yours--or mine?"

"Both."

"By Jove--but you're frank!"

"Have you ever known me otherwise?"

"Can't say I have.--But I'm hanged if I know what's come to you these
last two days! Except that you are always far too alluring for my peace
of mind, you hardly seem like the same woman."

The truth of his assertion wrenched her back to a lighter mood.

"What an alarming accusation! Is any healthily intelligent and
progressive human being ever the same for many weeks together?
Change--readjustment--is the keynote of life; the very breath of it.
When you can accuse me of _not_ changing I shall know that I have fallen
into the sere and withered leaf past redemption. And now that I have
expiated myself--(probably to your more complete confusion!)--we'll have
a short canter to blow away cobwebs. The road is rather less breakneck
just here."

A flick of the whip sent Yorick forward at a bound; and Garth--stifling
unheroic qualms--could not choose but follow her daring lead.

Throughout the remaining eight miles neither her tongue nor her spirit
flagged; and for the man at least the journey's end came too soon.

It was a transformed Kajiar that basked in the full glory of noon, as
they emerged from the forest, and drew rein on the high ground behind the
little wooden rest-house, to enjoy a few moments' survey of the brilliant
scene.

At the far end, around the Rajah's private chalet, the native camp was
fast springing into life. While, down in the northern hollow, where
white tents clustered thickest, lay the big general camp; the core of all
things social and frivolous.

Hurdles, water jumps, and a long tent pavilion had changed the centre of
the glade into a racecourse, where subalterns, undaunted by a blazing
sun, were practising ponies for forthcoming gymkhanas. Goal-posts were
already fixed for the great yearly football