orian
white mouse;" and she hugged her mother's knee, missing the faint flush
of pleasure that her words had aroused.

Finding his welcome assured, John Dene had taken to joining Dorothy and
her mother on their Saturday and Sunday excursions. The picnic had
proved a great success, and Dorothy had been surprised at the change in
John Dene's manner. The hard, keen look of a man who is thinking how
he can bring off some deal was entirely absent. He seemed always ready
to smile and be amused. Once he had almost laughed. She was touched
by the way in which he always looked after her mother, his gentleness
and solicitude.

"Wessie, darling," Marjorie Rogers had said one day, "you're taming the
bear. He'll dance soon; but, my dear, his boots," and the comical
grimace that had accompanied the remark had caused Dorothy to laugh in
spite of herself.

"If ever I marry a man," continued Marjorie, "it will be because of his
boots. Let him have silk socks and beautiful shoes or boots, and I am
as clay in his hands. For such a man I would sin like a 'temporary.'"

"Marjorie, you're a little idiot," cried Dorothy.

"I saw John Dene a few days ago," continued Marjorie.

"Did you?"

"Yes, and I stopped him."

"You didn't, Marjorie." There was incredulity in Dorothy's voice.

"Didn't I, though," was the retort. "I gave him a hint, too."

"A hint." Dorothy felt uncomfortable. The downrightness of Marjorie
Rogers was both notorious and embarrassing.

"Well," nonchalantly, "I just said that at the Admiralty men always
kept their secretaries well-supplied with flowers and chocolates."

"You little beast!" cried Dorothy, remembering the chocolates and
flowers that had recently been reaching her. "I should like to slap
you."

"Why not give me one of the chocolates instead," said Marjorie
imperturbably. "I saw the box directly I came in," nodding at a large
white and gold box that Dorothy had unsuccessfully striven to hide
beneath a filing-cabinet as Marjorie entered. "If it hadn't been for
me you wouldn't have had them at all," she added. Presently she was
munching chocolates contentedly, whilst Dorothy found herself hating
both the chocolates and flowers.

At the end of the fifth week Blake wrote that the _Destroyer_ would be
ready for sea on the following Wednesday. The effect of the news upon
John Dene was curious. Instead of appearing elated at the near
approach of the fruition of his schemes, he sat at h