er a new experience
with him, this self-dissatisfaction and sensitiveness to criticism,
which at any other time he would have regarded with a sort of insolent
indifference. He remembered his walk westward yesterday with a shudder,
as though indeed it had been a sort of nightmare, and wondered whether
she too had regarded him with the eyes of those loungers on the
pavement--whether she too was one of those who looked for a man to
conform to the one arbitrary and universal type. Finally he tied his
necktie with a curse, and went down to breakfast with little of his
good-humour left.

The fresh air sweeping in through the long, open windows, the glancing
sunlight and the sense of freedom, for which the absence of his guests
was certainly responsible, soon restored his spirits. Blest with an
excellent morning appetite--the delightful heritage of a clean life--he
enjoyed his breakfast and thoroughly appreciated his cook's efforts.
If he needed a sauce, Fate bestowed one upon him, for he was scarcely
midway through his meal before a loud ringing at the lodge gates proved
the accuracy of his conjectures. Mr. Da Souza had purchased a morning
paper at the junction, and their host's perfidy had become apparent.
Obviously they had decided to treat the whole matter as a practical joke
and to brave it out, for outside the gates in an open fly were the whole
party. They had returned, only to find that according to Trent's orders
the gates were closed upon them.

Trent moved his seat to where he could have a better view, and continued
his breakfast. The party in the cab looked hot, and tumbled, and cross.
Da Souza was on his feet arguing with the lodge-keeper--the women seemed
to be listening anxiously. Trent turned to the servant who was waiting
upon him.

"Send word down," he directed, "that I will see Mr. Da Souza alone. No
one else is to be allowed to enter. Pass me the toast before you go."

Da Souza entered presently, apologetic and abject, prepared at the same
time to extenuate and deny. Trent continued his breakfast coolly.

"My dear friend!" Da Souza exclaimed, depositing his silk hat upon the
table, "it is a very excellent joke of yours. You see, we have entered
into the spirit of it--oh yes, we have done so indeed! We have taken
a little drive before breakfast, but we have returned. You knew, of
course, that we would not dream of leaving you in such a manner. Do you
not think, my dear friend, that the joke was carried