the ground, he shouted to a passing native child to hold
the two horses, and hurried to Evelyn's side, reflecting as he went
that, if she were not seriously injured, the accident might have its
advantages. She was on her knees when he reached her, and was pressing
both hands to her temples.

"Are you badly hurt?" he asked, anger banished by real anxiety.

"I don't--know. Oh--my head--my head!"

The words ended in a sob; she swayed as if she would fall, and quick
as thought his arm went round her, pressing her close. But at his
touch she recovered herself as if by magic; and pushing him fiercely
aside, staggered panting to her feet.

Kresney stood regarding her for a moment, an evil expression in his
eyes.

"Well, I'm damned!" he broke out at length. "I'm not a disease that
you should shake me off in that fashion."

"I'm sorry," she said with quick-coming breaths. "You meant to be
kind, I know, but--don't touch me again, please."

"I only wanted to keep you from falling in the dust," he retorted
huffily.

"I know. But--I would rather fall in the dust."

She spoke almost in a whisper, yet with such obvious sincerity that he
set his teeth viciously and answered nothing.

She remained standing before him, helpless, tantalising,
unapproachable, in her childlike dignity. Her head was dazed and
throbbing. Her knees shook under her so persistently that she gave it
up at last, and sank down in the road, covering her face with her
hands.

"Oh, how _am_ I going to get home?" she moaned, more to herself than
to him.

He came and stood near her again. He was surprised to find how keenly
her distress hurt him, and now that his anger was past, her flash of
independence made her more alluring than ever.

"If you won't let me lay a finger on you," he said in an altered tone,
"I don't see how I can be any use. But if you will condescend to use
me as a prop, I'll put you up on the mare, and walk beside you; then
you can hold on to me if you feel shaky. We are not far off now, and
the boy can take my pony on. Will that suit you?"

She looked up gratefully through a mist of tears.

"Thank you. It is nice of you to be so kind to me after--what I said."

"No man in his senses could be anything but kind to _you_." And
bending down he once more encircled her with his arm, raising her to
her feet, and taking his time over the proceeding. For an instant, in
mere weakness, she leaned her light weight upon him; and his sense of