"Ah! Then there's something improper in the matter?" Askew flushed through his bronzed skin. "Not at all," he said in a brusque tone. "Señorita Fajardo is all that is good and holy and pure." "What bread and butter!" thought Leah, wondering if Jim had stumbled upon a convent. But she was too wise to quote Byron to this young man, who apparently was simple enough to regard love as something sacred. "Fajardo," she repeated. "A Spanish name." "And a Spanish lady," he said, gloomily. "Lola Fajardo, of the Estancia, San Jago, near Rosario." "I thought you said of Lima?" "No; I met her there. She is in the habit of stopping at Lima with her aunt. But her true home is at Rosario, in the Santa Fe province of the Argentine republic. I wonder if Berring brought her to England. She was madly in love with him." "She must have been, to marry him." "Oh, Berring's a good-looking chap, and not bad," said Askew, with the innate chivalry of a man towards a successful rival. "I suppose they _did_ marry." "Oh! Then you are not certain?" "No; I never even knew if they were engaged. But when I joined my ship again at Callao, every one said 'marriage'--they were so uncommonly thick. I must ask Berring." "I'm sure he'll be delighted to afford you the information you seek," was Lady Jim's ironical reply. "Have you seen Mrs. Berring?" asked the young man, eagerly. "No; I don't think any Mrs. Berring is stopping here." "Then perhaps he did not marry Lola, after all," cried Askew, rising hastily, and with flashing eyes, "unless"--his voice fell--"she is dead." Leah yawned. "Really, I don't know," she replied; "you had better ask Mr. Berring. I see he is passing out of the garden with Mrs. Penworthy." "In that case I can't spoil sport," laughed the lieutenant, with an obvious effort; "but later on." "Later on, of course," she said, rising. "Here comes your uncle." Lord Sargon advanced, and, with an apologetic look towards Leah, took Askew's arm. "I wish to present you to Lady Canvey," he said. The young man looked towards his charmer. "Will you permit me to leave you for a time?" "Certainly. You will find Lady Canvey delightful, and as pre-historic as you can wish. We may meet after dinner," and, with a nod, she left the winter garden for the purpose of seeking solitude. She wanted to think over Jim's iniquities, and to consider what use might be made of them for her own benefit. Lady Canvey was delighted to receive Askew, as she liked handsome young men, especially when they were deferential and attentive, as this new acquaintance appeared to be. "Though I'm a bad substitute for Lady Jim," she remarked pleasantly. "Lady Jim?" "That charming creature with whom you have been talking." "Yes, of course, Lady Canvey. She is indeed charming."