an, whose pale and delicate
features and thin hands told of recent illness, and together with a
crimson scar across his face gave him that appearance which ladies call
interesting, the effect being heightened by the shawls and rugs which
were strewn about him. Rice paper and a packet of Egyptian tobacco lay
on one of the arms of his couch, but it was only between the games that
he occasionally twiddled up a cigarette, so conscientiously did he
attend to his duties as umpire.

"Vantage out," said Harry, who was serving. Beatrice returned the ball
high, and very far back-indeed, and immediately cried--

"I think it was just in!"

"I think _not_," said Harry, grinning. "How was it, umpire?"

"Line ball!" said Kavanagh, who from his position could not possibly
have seen.

"Game and set!" cried Trix, delighted, though as a matter of fact the
ball had fallen a foot beyond the base line, and they both came to the
tree for a rest.

"I hope you will be able to play yourself soon," said Harry Forsyth.

"I could play now," replied Kavanagh; "my side does not hurt me a bit
whatever I do. It is only weakness that stops me, and I feel stronger
every morning."

"Then we shall have a four set without recourse to neighbours when Mary
Strachan arrives," said Beatrice.

"Mary Strachan! Is she coming?" cried Kavanagh.

"Yes; mamma asked her, and she is to arrive early next week."

"That _will_ be jolly! We only want Tom too."

"I don't despair of seeing _him_ before the autumn," said Harry. "I
heard from him yesterday, and he thought he should come home when the
Guards did. And if we kiss and make it up with the various folks we are
at loggerheads with, I don't think there will be much more fighting for
you military parties to do."

"Who do you mean?" asked Kavanagh. "I am not a military person. I have
got my discharge, sir, and might pass the commander-in-chief himself
without saluting. Not that I would though, God bless him."

"Is it not time that you had your jelly and glass of port wine?"
observed Mrs Forsyth.

"Not quite," said Harry; "Fatima would not let him miss it by a minute.
I believe she sits watching the clock, now she has learned what the
figures mean, and why the hands go round."

"That is right; speak up for your slave," said Beatrice. "Any
imputation upon her punctuality might depreciate her market value."

"I would not sell her for her weight in gold, and that must be something
towards se