llowed. Then--

"So were you," I said desperately.

"I know I was," was the disconcerting reply.

"Well, then, why shouldn't we----"

"But you said you weren't."

I called the Sealyham.

"Nobby," said I, "I'm being bullied. The woman we love is turning my
words against me."

For a moment the dog looked at us. Then he sat up and begged.

"And what," said Adele, caressing him, "does that mean?"

"He's pleading my cause--obviously."

"I'm not so sure," said Adele. "I wish he could talk."

"You're a wicked, suspicious girl. Here are two miserable males, all
pale and trembling for love of you--you've only got to smile to make
them rich--and you set your small pink heel upon their devotion. I
admit it's a soft heel--one of the very softest----"

"----I ever remember," flashed Adele. "How very interesting! 'Heels I
have Held,' by Wild Oats. Were the others pink, too?"

Solemnly I regarded her.

"A little more," said I, "and I shan't teach her to drive."

Adele tossed her head.

"Berry's going to do that," she said. "Directly we get to Pau."

I laughed savagely.

"I'm talking of automobiles," I said, "not golf balls."

"I know," said my wife. "And Berry's going to----"

"Well, he's not!" I shouted. "For one thing, he can't, and, for
another, it's my right, and I won't give it up. I've been looking
forward to it ever since I knew you. I've dreamed about it. You're
miles cleverer than I am, you're wise, you're quick-witted, you can
play, you can sing like a nightingale, you can take me on at tennis,
you can ride--driving a car's about the only thing I can teach you,
and----"

Adele laid a smooth hand upon my mouth.

"Nobby and I," she said, "are very proud of you. They're not in the
same street with their master, they know, but they're awfully proud to
be his wife and dog."

To such preposterous generosity there was but one answer.

As I made it--

"May I teach you to drive, lady?"

A far-away look came into the soft brown eyes.

"If you don't," said Adele, "nobody shall."

* * * * *

The day of the race dawned, clear and jubilant. By eight o'clock the
sun was high in a blue heaven, new-swept by a steady breeze. Limping
into the courtyard before breakfast, I rejoiced to notice that the air
was appreciably warmer than any I had breathed for a month.

We had hoped to leave Angouleme at nine o'clock. Actually it was a
quarter to ten before the lugga