f-way across; the two men--Victor leading at a good
pace--were half-way round. Charlie glanced at the window of the temple
and caught a fleeting glance of a despairing face. "If you love me,
they mustn't see me!"

"Here, give me the paddle!" he exclaimed, and reached forward for it.

"No, I can do it," answered Millie, lifting the instrument out of his
reach.

Charlie stepped forward--rather, he jumped forward, as a man jumps over
a ditch. There was a shriek from Millie; the canoe swayed, tottered,
and upset. In a confused mass, Millie Bushell and Charlie were hurled
into the water. Victor and Uncle Van, hardly five yards from the steps,
turned in amazement.

"Help! help!" screamed Millie.

"Help!" echoed Charlie. "I can't hold her up. Victor, come and help me!
Uncle Van, come along!"

"The devil!" murmured Uncle Van,

"Quick, quick!" called Charlie; and Victor, with a vexed laugh, peeled
off his coat and jumped in. Mr. Vansittart stood with a puzzled air.
Then a happy thought struck him. He turned and trotted back the way he
had come. He would get a rope!

As he went, as Victor reached the stragglers in the water, a slim
figure in white, with a smile on her face, stole cautiously from the
temple and disappeared in the wood behind. Charlie saw her go, but he
held poor Millie's head remorselessly tight towards the other bank.

And that was the last he saw of the Lady of the Pool.

Millie Bushell landed, her dripping clothes clinging round her. Victor
was shivering, for the evening had turned chilly. Uncle Van had a bit
of rope from the boat-shed in his hand, and a doubtful smile on his
face.

"We'd best get Miss Bushel home," he suggested, and they started in
gloomy procession. Charlie, in remorse, gave Millie his arm.

"Oh, how could you?" she murmured piteously. She was cold, she was wet,
and she was sure that she looked frightful.

I--I didn't do it on purpose, "Charlie blurted out eagerly.

"On purpose! Well, I suppose not," she exclaimed, bewildered. Charlie
flushed. Victor shot a swift glance at him.

Half-way home they met Mrs. Marland and the whole affair had to be
explained to her. Charlie essayed the task.

"Still, I don't see how you managed to upset the canoe," observed Mrs.
Marland.

"No more do I," said Victor Sutton. Charlie gave it up.

"I'm so sorry, Millie," he whispered. "You must try to forgive me."

So, once again, the coast was left clear for Agatha Merceron, if she
came