ve a shriek
to see the skin of a huge lizard-beast fall forward at her feet, and
also many cups and flagons, that rolled over the floor, dotting it
with little drops of wine.

Hearing Elaine shriek, and not able to see from his prison what had
befallen her, Geoffrey shouted out in terror to know if she had come
to any hurt.

"No," she told him; and stood eyeing first the crocodile's hide and
then the cups, setting her lips together very firmly. "And they were
not even dry," she said after a while. For she began to guess a little
of the truth.

"Not dry? Who?" inquired Geoffrey.

"Oh, Geoffrey!" she burst out in deep anger, and then stopped,
bewildered. But his heart leaped to hear her call his name.

"Are there no keys?" he asked.

"Keys? Yes!" she cried, and, running with them back to the bars, began
trying one after another in trembling haste till the lock clicked
pleasantly, and out marched young Geoffrey.

Now what do you suppose this young man did when he found himself free
once more, and standing close by the lovely young person to whom he
owed his liberty? Did he place his heels together, and let his arms
hang gracefully, and so bow with respect and a manner at once
dignified and urbane, and say, "Miss Elaine, permit me to thank you
for being so kind as to let me out of prison?" That is what he ought
to have done, of course, if he had known how to conduct himself like a
well-brought-up young man. But I am sorry to have to tell you that
Geoffrey did nothing of the sort, but, instead of that, behaved in a
most outrageous manner. He did not thank her at all. He did not say
one single word to her. He simply put one arm round her waist and gave
her a kiss!

"Geoffrey!" she murmured, "don't!"

But Geoffrey did, with the most astonishing and complacent
disobedience.

"Oh, Geoffrey!" she whispered, looking the other way, "how wrong of
you! And of me!" she added a little more softly still, escaping from
him suddenly, and facing about.

"I don't see that," said Geoffrey. "I love you, Elaine. Elaine,
darling, I----"

"Oh, but you mustn't!" answered she, stepping back as he came nearer.

[Illustration: Geoffrey tuggeth at the Bars]

This was simply frightful! And so sudden. To think of
her--Elaine!--but she couldn't think at all. Happy? Why, how wicked!
How had she ever----

"No, you must not," she repeated, and backed away still farther.

"But I will!" said this lover, quite loudly, and sprang so quic