he spot and, try how I will, I cannot get it back."

"Well it was a fair exchange, for you took mine in return," she
answered, with a blush.

"Six months from to-day, Amy?"

"Yes, Reg. Six months before I have to give up all my pleasures,
sacrifice all my pets and put myself at the mercy of a tyrant."

Reg stooped to kiss the lips again that chaffed him so prettily, when
the doorway was darkened by the figure of Oliver Whyte, who said in an
amused tone of enquiry:

"I suppose you are too busy to go and say good-bye to Mr. Northmore,
Reg? He's waiting to see you, for he sails to-morrow."

"Come Amy, let's go to him together," said Reg rising and, tucking Amy's
arm under his own, he entered the house and greeted a young man waiting
there:

"Hullo, Jack, how are you?"

"I'm jolly, old chap. And Miss Amy, I trust you are well."

"No, I'm not, Mr. Northmore, he's been worrying me again. Never get
engaged: it's too wearing. If it were not for the fact that one can
wreak revenge when one is married I don't think any girl could stand
it."

"Well, Reg does not seem to dread the coming vengeance."

"How do you do, Mr. Northmore. I am so sorry you are going to leave us
so soon," said Mrs. Whyte, entering at this moment.

"Business, Mrs. Whyte, business. I am not so fortunate as our friend
here. I came only on a visit, which I have enjoyed very much. I am due
at Cape Town in a fortnight."

"Amy, do you think you can find our friend Northmore some refreshment,"
said Whyte, as he joined them.

"I'll try, dad. Come on, Reg, I shall want your help," and they both
skipped out of the room.

"That's the way they go on all day long," said Whyte to Northmore,
"just like two kittens."

"They are to be married shortly, are they not?"

"Yes, in six months. It's hardly fair to keep Reg waiting any longer.
They've been engaged three years now."

"I am glad Reg is going to settle down, and with such an excellent
partner."

"Yes, you're right, Northmore. I don't think a happier pair, or one more
suited to each other could be found in a year's travel."

"Reg is a wonder, too. It is not every man who can boast of having made
a fortune for himself at twenty-four."

"Ah, I intended asking you about that. He is so modest and reticent
about himself. He says he did it by accident and could not help
himself."

"Nothing of the kind, Whyte. He was left an orphan at fourteen in
Adelaide and had only one relative, living at Duned