Yet, was it merely a sense of the external contrast which was afflicting him? He had traversed this very scene before, and not once or even twice only. He had always admired it, but listlessly. But now? The magic wand had been waved over the whole. But why transform the ordinary and mundane into a paradise for one who was to be suffered but one glimpse therein, and now was to be cast forth? A paradise--ah yes; but a fool's paradise, he told himself bitterly. "Well?" He started. The query had come from Nidia, and was uttered artlessly, innocently, but with a spice of mischief. "Yes? I was wondering?" she went on. "What were you wondering?" "Oh, nothing! Only--er--as it is rather--er--slow for me, don't you think so--supposing you give me an inkling of the problem that is absorbing you so profoundly? You haven't said a word for at least ten minutes. And I like talking." "I am so sorry. Yes; I might have remembered that. How shall I earn forgiveness?" "By telling me exactly what you were thinking about, absolutely and without reservations. On no other conditions, mind." "Oh, only what a nuisance it is being called away just now." The tone was meant to be offhand, but the quick ear of Nidia was not so easy to deceive. When John Ames did look down into the bright laughing face it had taken an expression of sympathy, that with a quick bound of the heart he read for one that was almost tender. "Yes. It is horrid!" she agreed. "You had a long time to run yet, hadn't you?" "Nearly a month." "I call it perfectly abominable. Can't you tell them it is absolutely impossible to come back just now, that--er--in short, on no account can you?" He looked at her. "Do _you_ wish it?" was on his lips; but he left the words unsaid. He shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid it can't be done. You see, I am entirely at their beck and call. And then, from what they say, I believe they really do want me." "Yes; I was forgetting that. It is something, after all, to be of some use, as I was telling you the other night; do you remember?" Did he remember? Was there one word she had ever said to him--one look she had ever given him--that he did not remember, that he had not thought of, and weighed, and pondered over, in the dark silent hours of the night, and in the fresh, but far from silent, hours of early morning? No, indeed; not one.