n the midst of what should have been his second dance, and I didn't
feel equal to going indoors again directly after that scene, even to
tango. I asked Tony to leave me where I was, to gather up my wits, and
when he had darted away I sat quite still for a few minutes. I had no
engagement until the time for my one dance with Eagle March should come;
and as Tony hadn't given me much chance for gazing at the "great sight"
he had brought me out to see, I tried to cool my brain with moonlight.
But I had forgotten all about the hammock on the other side of the
flower screen. I remembered it only when I heard footsteps, and a
creaking of chairs as some one--or rather some two--sat down.

"Good gracious!" I said to myself. "_Now_ what shall I do?" For as the
pair came to a halt they went on with their conversation, which had
evidently reached a critical point. I recognized the man's voice, and as
it was that of Eagle March, I knew as well as if I had already seen her
that the girl must be Diana. I knew also that she would never forgive me
if I popped out at this moment, like the wrong figure on a barometer.
Nothing on earth would make her believe that I hadn't been "spying"; for
though Di didn't realize how much and in what way I cared for Eagle, she
often teased me about being jealous because my great "chum" had forsaken
me for her. If at any time she could call him away from me by a glance
or a smile, it amused her to do so; and she would believe I was
"revenging" myself, in the best way I could, on this their last night.

I had half jumped up from the low seat which Tony had shared with me;
but on second thoughts I sat down again.

"She won't let him say much," I thought, "so there'll be nothing to
overhear. Anyhow, I can stop my ears, if worst comes to worst." But
before I had time to resolve on this precaution, I heard Eagle say, "If
it wasn't for the money, I shouldn't feel I had the right----"

The rest was silence, for I kept my resolution and refused to catch
another syllable; yet those words had set me thinking hard. If Eagle
were telling Di that he was now certain to come in for his aunt's
fortune, she might look upon him as a bird in the hand, whereas a
notorious flirt like Major Vandyke might be worth no more than two in
the bush with the saltcellar empty.

I struggled to find consolation by reminding myself that, if Di did
marry Eagle, she might make him happy, provided there were enough money
for everything s