The following morning I was only just out of bed when Kiusko came up with his spurs on. We had decided the day before to ride together to the Bois. As he usually went to the rendezvous by himself, I guessed that to-day he wanted to appear to have been taken there by me, in order to cover his embarrassment, or perhaps his bashfulness when he met Kondje-Gul. Having made up my mind to avoid all confidences, I kept my valet in the room with me, dressing myself very deliberately, and without any compassion for Kiusko's impatience. This compelled us, directly we were mounted, to gallop to the Bois, a procedure not very favourable to confidential effusions. We only joined the party at the Avenue of Acacias on their way back. I took care to watch Kiusko as he saluted Kondje-Gul. He blushed and stammered out a compliment addressed collectively to all the three girls. Kondje's countenance betrayed nothing more than the flush produced by her ride. We started off in two separate parties. From motives of discretion, I suppose, Kiusko remained behind with Suzannah and the commodore. Edward and I had gone in front with Kondje-Gul and Maud, who was quarrelling with her cousin upon the important question, as to whether we should gallop straight ahead or make a round between the trees. Kondje-Gul decided the matter by suddenly entering the cover. "Who loves me, let him follow me!" she said, with a laugh. I followed her, and in a few moments we found ourselves side by side. "Oh, such a fine piece of news!" she said to me, as soon as Maud and Edward, who were behind us, were out of hearing. "What is it?" I asked. "Well, I must tell you that the day before yesterday your aunt came to see my mother while I was away, and there and then formally requested my hand in marriage for the noble Count Daniel Kiusko. My mother related this to me this morning, when I got up." "And what did you answer her?" "Oh, I laughed at first, and then I told mamma that she must inform you at once, so that you may decide upon the manner in which she shall repulse the enemy." "That's simple enough," said I. "She has only to tell my aunt, when next she calls, that she has consulted you." "Is it as simple as that?" "Certainly," I said, with a feeling of annoyance at the idea that she knew of Daniel's love. "Is it not solely your will that has to be consulted?" Kondje-Gul regarded me with astonishment. "My will?" she said. "Good heavens! do you love me no longer?" "Why should you imagine I love you no longer?" I answered. "One might suppose that you wished to remind me of that horrible liberty which I am so much afraid of." I then realised how stupid and abrupt I had been, and asked her forgiveness. "You naughty fellow!" she said, pointing to the golden bracelet clasped round her arm.