Strange, indeed, Gladys! after the care-succeeding stratagem and innocent purposeful planning that took you and your good-natured cousin so straight across India to the station (not so frequently a resort for English travellers), simply because there this broad-shouldered young Englishman lived and rode and shot and spoke bitterly of life. “It was most lucky for me,” he answered honestly; “and I shall miss you awfully when you go.” “You are very fond of Mary, aren’t you?” she said looking at the ground. “Yes, Miss Travers.” Gladys smiled. “You’re rather stupid, you know,” she said. “I think it’s you who are rather unkind,” he answered. “And what are you going to do with Jim?” Gladys frowned; the conversation at that moment was more interesting without Jim. “_Do_ with him!” she began indignantly, and then suddenly she laughed and turned dancing eyes upon her companion. “Do you know,” she cried, “I haven’t the faintest _idea_ what to do with him! What should you think?” “He’s a very nice fellow, Miss Gladys.” “Then shall I marry him?” Captain Hurstly drew a long breath; it was rather like playing with fire. The sun sunk speedily in the west, and now in a glowing rose veil plunged behind the hills. Gladys looked up at him from under her long eyelashes. There was something a little wistful in her glance. “Do you _want_ me to marry him, please?” she asked. Jack looked from the sky to her face; it had caught the glow of the sunset. “I don’t want you to marry anybody,” he said simply. “Ah!” said Gladys, and there was a silence—dangerous, electric, full of unspoken things. “You knew Muriel?” he said abruptly at last. “She was a dear friend of mine,” Gladys replied softly. “_Was!_ Isn’t she now, then?” he questioned. She blushed and looked away. “Won’t you tell me?” he asked gently. “I thought she was unjust—very unjust to you!” Gladys murmured. “It hurt me that she should misunderstand any one.” “You’re very generous,” he replied gravely. “But how do you know, Miss Gladys, that she did misjudge me? Perhaps she was right to have nothing to do with such a poor sort of chap.” Gladys sprang to her feet, her eyes flashed, and she shook a little, her voice was low and intense, and Jack, who rose to his feet also and stood opposite to her, was drawn into the circle of her emotions.