ed swiftly, "that was
before we were married."

"You beautiful witch," said I. "You unkind, beautiful witch. You've
only to touch the water with the tip of your little red tongue to make
it pure. You've only to put your lips to it to make it the sweetest
music that ever a poor fool heard. You've only to smile like that to
make me proud to kiss your shining foot."

"Nobby!" cried Adele. "Oh, Nobby! Did you hear that? Did you hear
what the man said? A real courtier's speech! But how can he kiss my
feet when I'm sitting on them?"

I stepped to her side, picked her up, and swung her on to a table.

Then I kissed her sweet insteps.

From her perch my wife addressed the Sealyham.

"It's all right, Nobby," she said relievedly. "He is a king, after
all. Only a king would have done that."

As I sat down by her side--

"I'd love to be a queen," cried a voice. "Love to. Wouldn't you like
to be a king?"

It was Jill speaking.

The fresh tones came floating up and in at the open window. She could
not have heard our words. It was pure coincidence.

Adele and I sat very still.

"I don't know," said Piers slowly.

"I'll tell you what I'd do," said Jill. "I'd--Piers, what is the
matter?"

"Nothing," said Piers.

"There is," said Jill accusingly. "You know there is. I can see it in
your eyes. What are you thinking about?"

"I--I don't know," stammered her swain.

"I think you might tell me," said Jill aggrievedly. "I always tell you
everything. Once or twice lately you've got all quiet suddenly--I
can't think why. Is it because your aunt's coming?"

Piers laughed bitterly.

"Good Heavens, no," he said.

"Well, why is it, then?"

For a moment there was no answer.

Then all of a sudden the sluice-gate of speech was pulled up.

"Oh, Jill, Jill, Jill... I could go on saying your name for the rest
of my life! I say it all the way home. I say it as I'm going to
sleep. I say it when I wake in the morning... I saw you first at
Biarritz. You never knew. I was staying with some Italian people.
They've got a place there. And I was alone in the grounds. And then I
saw you--with Boy. You looked so wonderful.... All in green you were,
standing with your feet close together, and your head on one side.
Your hair was coming down, and the sun was shining on it.... I found
out who you were, and came to Pau. I wanted to get to know you. I
felt I must. And, whenever you all went out, I foll