"That's ruled out," he replied, the point being that from the very first days of their acquaintance the Raid was a topic he had resolutely declined to argue or to express any opinion upon. "Besides, it's such a threadbare subject. You are right, though. I am treating you very badly. In fact, it is not fair, and I am haunted by a shrivelling conviction that you are sorry you came out to-day, and at this moment are heartily wishing yourself at home. Am I not right?" "No; quite wrong. I have, you know, a great respect for your convictions--at times, but for this last one I have nothing but contempt; yes, contempt--profound contempt. There! Will that satisfy you?" Her tone was decisive, without being vehement. In it--in the glance of her eyes--he detected a ring of sympathy, of feeling. Could she read his inner thoughts, he wondered, that each hour of this day as it wore away did but tighten the grip of the bitter desolating pain that had closed around his heart? He watched her as she reclined there, the very embodiment of dainty and graceful ease. He noted the stirring of each little wave of gold-brown hair as it caressed her forehead to the breath of the soft sea wind; the quick lifting of the lashes revealing the deep blue of the soulful eyes, so free and frank and fearless as they met his; the rich tint of the smooth skin, glowing with the kiss of the air and sun; every curve, too, of the mobile expressive lips; and the self-restraint he was forced to put upon himself became something superhuman. And it was their last day together! She, for her part, was thinking, "John Ames is a fool, but the most self-controlled fool I ever met. How I shall miss him! Yes, indeed, how I shall miss him!" Aloud she said-- "I wonder when _we_ shall be going up-country?" "Never, I predict," was the somewhat decisive rejoinder. Nidia raised herself on one elbow. "You seem pretty certain as to that," she said, "so certain that I begin to think the wish is father to the thought." "Thank you." "There, there, don't be cross. I am only teasing you. I can be an awful tease at times, can't I? Ask Susie if I can't--if you haven't found it out already, that is." The mischief had all left her voice, the laughing eyes were soft and sympathetic again. He laughed, too, but somewhat sadly. "Because things up there are not over bright, and are likely to be less so. The cattle is all dying off from this new disease--rinderpest. The natives have never been thoroughly conquered, and there are still plenty of them. The loss of their cattle will make them desperate, and therefore dangerous. The outlook is gloomy all round." "Oh, but you will be able to put things right when you get back."