t of dutiful reserve towards him.
There was no spontaneity in her affection, even when any sign of
possession of any such sentiment did appear. Well, ingratitude was
ingrained in the female. No one had better reason to realise that than
himself.

And this unknown relative who had written to announce her being--nothing
more had been heard of--or from--her. He had expected a wire by return
notifying her start, but a week had gone by, ten days, then a fortnight
and no wire, not even a letter. Did every member of the feminine
persuasion imagine that the universe was built for her sole convenience?
was his comment upon the omission to Edala.

The latter suggested that the telegram might have been twisted into a
wrong meaning by some chuckle-headed operator; would it not be as well
to send another? But her father was in no mood for doing anything of
the kind.

"I don't believe in that theory," he said. "Here's a feminine person
who writes to know if I can take her in. I reply post haste that I can
and welcome, and I hear no more about it. Well, she can stop away if
she prefers it. I'm not going routing around to beseech her to come."

Edala answered that she didn't care either way. As a matter of fact
though enthusiastic enough on the arrival of the unknown's letter the
thing had hung fire. And then, deep down in her innermost mind lay
another reason. She would not have admitted it even to herself, but it
was there for all that and--it spelt Elvesdon.

The latter had been a good deal over at Sipazi. He was an excellent and
astute official, but somehow, while neglecting none of his duties, he
had found time and opportunity to make frequent visits, and he was
always welcome. Thornhill and his daughter treated him, in fact, as if
they had known him all their lives, which caused him intense
satisfaction.

He was interested in this girl--indeed by that time powerfully
attracted. The fair refined face, the straight fearless eyes, the smile
that would light up the whole expression, the merry peal of spontaneous
laughter--all this had an effect upon him that was inexpressibly
bewitching. He had never seen anyone like her before--no, not in the
least like her. That picture of her, standing erect, wide-eyed and
fearless, waiting to be of use in the struggle with the monster serpent,
had never even begun to fade in his mind. She was grand.

Towards himself Edala for her part was undoubtedly attracted. She
loo