Anything--anything more, would break it quite."

"I wish to Heaven mere danger was the only thing we had to trouble
about," he said, rather bitterly. "But let this cheer you, my sweet--
cheer us both. You doubted me before--you cannot again. We are both so
strong in each other's love that beside such a possession the whole
world is a trifle. And better and brighter times may be--must be,
before us--"

"Hallo, Milne," shouted the voice of Hoste in the distance. "Where are
you, man? Time's up!"

Both started--in each other's embrace--at this horribly jarring and
unwelcome reminder. "The fellow needn't bawl like all the bulls of
Bashan, confound him!" muttered Eustace with a frown.

"Eustace--dearest--must we really part now?" she murmured in a broken
sob, clinging to him more closely. "First of all, take this," slipping
a small, flat, oblong packet into his hand. "Open it--read it--when you
are on your way. I got it ready, thinking we should have no opportunity
of being alone together again. And now, love--dear, dear love--
good-bye. Heaven bless you--no, I must not say that, I am too wicked.
It would be of no avail coming from me--"

"I say, Milne! Are you coming along with us or are you not?" roared
Hoste again from his front door. "Because if not, just kindly say so."

"You are under no precise necessity to cause the dead to rise, are you,
Hoste?" said Eustace tranquilly, a couple of minutes later, as they
stepped within the light of the windows. "Because, if you had whispered
I should have heard you just as well. As it is, you have about woke up
the whole of British Kaffraria, and we shall have the sentries opening
fire upon the _veldt_ at large in a minute. There--there goes the
Police bugle already."

"Don't care a hang. We are waiting to start. Here come the horses.
Now--Good-bye, everyone, and hurrah for old Kreli!"

A couple of native stable-hands appeared, leading three horses, saddled
and bridled. Then there was a good deal of tumultuous leave-taking
between Hoste and his family circle, mingled with sniffling and
handkerchiefs, and of quieter farewells as concerned the rest of the
party. But the torn heart of one in that group suffered in silence.
Eanswyth's sweet, proud face was marvellously self-possessed.

"Extraordinary creatures, women," said Payne, as the three men rode out
of the settlement. "I believe they positively enjoy the fun of a good
snivel. It's just the same wit