"No, but auntie is here for the cure, in order to get thin, and she won't give herself a chance. She promises and vows all manner of things to her doctor, and breaks her word as soon as she is out of his sight. She sits up late, she eats creams and rich dishes, takes no exercise, and is full of stern resolutions for to-morrow--it is always to-morrow!" "I gather that between your aunt and the dog your responsibilities are serious." "Yes, very serious," she answered with a gay little nod. As they loitered along together, Captain Haig was sensible of the many admiring eyes which were turned towards his companion, and of certain envious scowls which fell to him. Half glances, whole stares, beaming smiles, and impressive salutes attended the lady's progress. Yes, for sheer, blazing, aggressive admiration Miss Chandos received the palm. After all, he asked himself, what was she to be thus acclaimed? A tall girl, with a pair of wonderful dark eyes, a brilliant complexion, a radiant smile! "I suppose you come abroad every year?" he questioned, after a pause. "Oh, no," she replied, "we live abroad. And you?" "Yes; but my abroad is Asia; yours, I conclude, is Europe. My abroad spells duty, and yours pleasure." "Not altogether," rejoined Miss Chandos. "We live out of England as a duty to an animal. We roam the continent because of the dog!" Captain Haig looked at her with a puzzled air, then gave a short incredulous laugh. "But, I assure you that it is quite true," she continued, "Auntie is devoted to Dog Darling, and owing to these dreadful new regulations he would have to go into quarantine in England for six months; either that, or be left at Calais. Such a separation would break his dear heart--and be the death of auntie." "And so you remain an exile as long as he lives." "Yes." "Is he old?" "About nine; but he comes of a long-lived family, and has a fine constitution." "If I were you, I should administer some of the waters," suggested Captain Haig. "If you mean with felonious intent, I repudiate your heartless advice. I am sincerely attached to Toby." "But are you not also attached to home?" "Well, you see, we have no home. When we were in England we lived at hotels--and I am thoroughly at home on the Continent." "And know it well?" "Yes, some places, such as Paris, the Riviera, and Aix. I've also been to Rome and Venice. We always winter in the South." "Possibly on account of Toby," suggested the young man. "I absolutely decline to call him Darling." "You have made a sort of half-guess," she answered with a smile. "I will not conceal from you that a certain chemist at Nice is a celebrated dog doctor, and once, when Darling had bronchitis, auntie stayed on a month longer, on purpose to be near him, although we had taken our rooms at Venice. Is this your first visit to Germany?" "Yes, I only arrived yesterday. I had no idea Homburg was such a charming place--partly garden, park and forest. My uncle never prepared me."