rl's voice that was easily recognised as that of
Frances Amory.

"Thumbs down, eh, Maitland?" said the Englishman, waving a hand toward
his charming enemy.

Whatever the cause, whether from the spur supplied by the young lady who
had constituted herself his champion or from the sting from the man
for whom for reasons sufficient for himself he had only feelings of
hostility and dislike, the game put up by Captain Jack was of quite a
different brand from that he had previously furnished. From the
first service he took the offensive and throughout played brilliant,
aggressive, even smashing tennis, so much so that his opponent appeared
to be almost outclassed and at the close the figures of the first set
were exactly reversed, standing six to two in Captain Jack's favour.

The warmth of the cheers that followed attested the popularity of the
win.

"My word, old chap, that is top-hole tennis," said the Englishman,
warmly congratulating him.

"Luck, old boy, brilliant luck!" said Captain Jack. "Couldn't do it
again for a bet."

"You must do it just once more," said Frances, coming to meet the
players. "Oh, you dear old thing. Come and be refreshed. Here is the
longest, coolest thing in drinks this Club affords. And one for you,
too," she added, turning to the Englishman. "You played a great game."

"Did I not? I was at the top of my form," said the Englishman gallantly.
"But all in vain, as you see."

"Now for the final," cried Frances eagerly.

"Dear lady," said Captain Jack, affecting supreme exhaustion, "as you
are mighty, be merciful! Let it suffice that we appear to have given you
an exposition of fairly respectable tennis. I am quite done."

"A great win, Jack," said Adrien, offering her hand in congratulation.

"All flukes count, eh, Maitland?" laughed Stillwell, unable in spite of
his laugh to keep the bite out of his voice.

"Fluke?" exclaimed the Englishman in a slow drawling voice. "I call it
ripping good tennis, if I am a judge."

A murmur of approval ran through the company, crowding about with
congratulations to both players.

"Oh, of course, of course," said Stillwell, noting the criticism of
his unsportsmanlike remark. "What I mean is, Maitland is clearly out
of condition. If he were not I wouldn't mind taking him on myself," he
added with another laugh.

"Now, do you mean?" said Captain Jack lazily.

"We will wait till the match is played out," said Stillwell with easy
confidence. "Some