s, he did not quite like being ousted.

"Pretty good for a fellow who's just had the bag!" he remarked
scornfully, referring to Roger Deane's unauthorized revelation.

It was the day before the exodus to Paris. Dora's period of weary
waiting had worn itself away, and she was acknowledging to Charlie that
the last two or three days had passed quicker than she had ever thought
they could.

"The first two days I was wretched, the next two gloomy, but these last
almost peaceful. In spite of--you know what--I think you've done me
good on the whole."

"Don't mention it," said Charlie, flinging his arm over the back of the
seat and looking at his companion.

"And now--in the end," pursued Dora, "I'm actually a little sorry to
leave all this; it's so beautiful," and she waved her parasol vaguely
at the hills and the islands, while with the other hand she took off
her hat and allowed the breeze to blow through her hair.

"It is jolly, isn't it?" she asked.

"I should rather think it was," said Charlie. "The jolliest I've ever
seen." It was evident that he did not refer to the scenery.

"Oh, you promised you wouldn't," cried Dora reproachfully.

"Well, then, I'll promise again," he replied, smiling amiably.

"What must I think of you, when only a week or so ago----? Oh, and
what must you think of me to suppose I could? Oh, Mr. Ellerton!"

"Like to know what I think of you?" inquired Charlie, quite unperturbed
by this passionate rebuke.

"Certainly not," said she, with dignity, and turned away. A moment
later, however, she attacked him again.

"And you've done nothing," she said indignantly, "but suggest to papa
interesting places to stop at on the way, and things he ought to see in
Paris. Yes, and you actually suggested going home by sea from
Marseilles. And all the time you knew it was vital to me to get home as
soon as possible. To me? Yes, and to you _last week_. Shall I tell you
something, Mr. Ellerton?"

"Please," said Charlie. "Whisper it in my ear," and he offered his head
in fitting proximity.

"I shouldn't mind who heard," she declared. "I despise you, Mr.
Ellerton."

Charlie was roused to a protest.

"For downright unfairness give me a girl!" said he. "Here have I taken
the manly course! After a short period of weakness--I admit that--I
have conquered my feelings; I have determined not to distress Miss
Travers by intruding upon her; I have overcome the promptings of a
cowardly despair; I have tur