-know. You have given her one more occasion for triumph
over us Colonials."

"Ah, this is serious," said Captain Jack. "But really it is too hot you
know for--what shall I say?--International complications."

"Jack, you are plain lazy," said Frances. "You know you are. You don't
deserve to win, but if you really would put your back into it--"

"Oh, come, Frances. Why! You don't know that my cousin played for his
College at Oxford. And that is saying something," said Adrien.

"There you are, Jack! That's the sort of thing I have to live with,"
said Frances. "She thinks that settles everything."

"Well, doesn't it rather?" smiled Adrien.

"Oh, Jack, if you have any regard for your country, not to say my
unworthy self, won't you humble her?" implored Frances. "If you would
only buck up!"

"He will need to, eh, Adrien?" said a young fellow standing near, slowly
sipping his drink.

"I think so. Indeed, I am quite sure of it," coolly replied the girl
addressed. "But I really think it is quite useless."

"Ha! Ha! Cheer up, Jack," laughed the young man, Stillwell by name.

"Really, old chap, I feel I must beat you this set," said Captain Jack
to the young Englishman. "My country's credit as well as my own is at
stake, you see."

"Both are fairly assured, I should say," said the Englishman.

"Not to-day," said Stillwell, with a suspicion of a polite sneer in his
voice. "My money says so."

"Canada vs. the Old Country!" cried a voice from the company.

"Now, Jack, Jack, remember," implored Frances.

"You have no mercy, Miss Frances, I see," said the Englishman, looking
straight into her eyes.

"Absolutely none," she replied, smiling saucily at him.

"Vae victis, eh, old chap?" said Sidney, as they sauntered off together
to their respective courts. "By the way, who is that Stillwell chap?" he
asked in a low voice of Captain Jack as they moved away from the others.
"Of any particular importance?"

"I think you've got him all right," replied Jack carelessly. The
Englishman nodded.

"He somehow gets my goat," said Jack. The Englishman looked mystified.

"Rubs me the wrong way, you know."

"Oh, very good, very good. I must remember that."

"He rather fancies his own game, too," said Jack, "and he has come
on the last year or two. In more ways than one," he added as an
afterthought.

As they faced each other on the court it was Stillwell's voice that rang
out:

"Now then, England!"

"Canada!" cried a gi