"Then I am in luck--to-night." Woodhouse tried to speak easily, though Jane Gerson's attitude was distant. "Meeting you again--that's luck." "To judge by what you have just said it must be instead a great misfortune," she retorted, with a slow smile. "That is not fair. You know what I mean. Don't imagine I've really forgotten our first meeting under happier conditions than these. I know I'm not clever--I can't make it sound as I would--but I've thought a great deal of you, Miss Gerson--wondering how you were making it in this great war. Perhaps----" Almer returned at this juncture with the change, which he handed to Woodhouse. He was followed in by Lady Crandall, who assured Jane her hampers were securely strapped to the dog-cart. Jane attempted an introduction. "This gentleman has just done me a service, Lady Crandall. May I present----" "So sorry. You don't know my name. My clumsiness. Captain Woodhouse." The man bridged the dangerous gap hurriedly. Lady Crandall acknowledged the introduction with a gracious smile. "Your husband is Sir George----" he began. "Yes, Sir George Crandall, Governor-general of the Rock. And you----" "Quite a recent comer. Transferred from the Nile country here. Report to-morrow." "All of the new officers have to report to the governor's wife as well," Lady Crandall rallied, with a glance at Jane. "You must come and see me--and Miss Gerson, who will be with me until her boat sails." Woodhouse caught his breath. Jane Gerson, who knew him, at the governor's home! But he mastered himself in a second and bowed his thanks. Lady Crandall was moving toward the door. Her ward turned and held out a hand to Woodhouse. "So good of you to have straightened out my finances," she said, with a smile in which the man hoped he read full forgiveness for his denial of a few minutes before. "If you're ever in America I hope----" He looked up quickly. "I hope somebody will be as nice to you. Good night."