“I think not,” she answered shortly. “You don't know Lady Tresham, and they might not approve. Lady Tresham is rather old-fashioned.” “Oh, Lady Tresham is all right,” he answered. “I suppose I shall see you to-night if you are staying there. They have asked me to dinner!” She was taken aback and showed it. Again he had the advantage. He did not tell her that on his return he had found scores of invitations from people he had never heard of before. “You are by way of going into society, then,” she answered insolently. “I don't think I've made any particular efforts,” he answered. “Money,” she murmured, “is an everlasting force!” “The people of your world,” he answered, with a flash of contempt, “are the people who find it so.” She was silent then, and Trent was far from being discouraged by her momentary irritability. He was crossing the lawn now by her side, carrying himself well, with a new confidence in his air and bearing which she did not fail to take note of. The sunlight, the music, and the pleasant air of excitement were all in his veins. He was full of the strong joy of living. And then, in the midst of it all, came a dull, crashing blow. It was as though all his castles in the air had come toppling about his ears, the blue sky had turned to stony grey and the sweet waltz music had become a dirge. Always a keen watcher of men's faces, he had glanced for a second time at a gaunt, sallow man who wore a loose check suit and a grey Homburg hat. The eyes of the two men met. Then the blood had turned to ice in Trent's veins and the ground had heaved beneath his feet. It was the one terrible chance which Fate had held against him, and she had played the card. Considering the nature and suddenness of the blow which had fallen upon him, Trent's recovery was marvellous. The two men had come face to face upon the short turf, involuntarily each had come to a standstill. Ernestine looked from one to the other a little bewildered. “I should like a word with you, Trent,” Captain Francis said quietly. Trent nodded. “In five minutes,” he said, “I will return here--on the other side of the band-stand, say.” Francis nodded and stood aside. Trent and Ernestine continued their progress towards the stand. “Your friend,” Ernestine remarked, “seemed to come upon you like a modern Banquo!” Trent, who did not understand the allusion, was for once discreet. “He is a man with whom I had dealings abroad,” he said, “I did not expect him to turn up here.” “In West Africa?” she asked quickly. Trent smiled enigmatically. “There are many foreign countries besides Africa,” he said, “and I've been in most of them. This is box No. 13, then. I shall see you this evening.”