‘Heaven makes a way,’ observed Mouraki piously. ‘By-the-by, the device seems to have imposed on our acquaintance Kortes.’ ‘Oh, perhaps,’ I shrugged. ‘He’s a little smitten himself, I think, and so very ready to be jealous.’ ‘How discriminating!’ murmured Mouraki admiringly. ‘As a fact, my dear Wheatley, the lady said nothing. She chose to take offence.’ ‘You surprise me!’ I exclaimed with elaborate sarcasm. ‘And wouldn’t speak. But her blushes were most lovely--yes, most lovely. I envied you, upon my word I did.’ ‘Since it’s not true--’ ‘Oh, a thing may be very pleasant to hear, even if it’s not true. Sincerity in love is an added charm, but not, my dear fellow, a necessity.’ A pause followed this reflection of the Pasha’s. Then he remarked: ‘After all, we mustn’t judge these people as we should judge ourselves. If Constantine hadn’t already a wife--’ ‘What?’ I cried, leaping up. ‘And perhaps that difficulty is not insuperable.’ ‘He deserves nothing but hanging.’ ‘A reluctant wife is hardly better.’ ‘Of course you don’t mean it?’ ‘It seems to disturb you so much.’ ‘It’s a monstrous idea.’ Mouraki laughed in quiet enjoyment of my excitement. ‘Then Kortes?’ he suggested. ‘He’s infinitely her inferior. Besides--forgive me--why is it your concern to marry her to any one?’ ‘In a single state she is evidently a danger to the peace of the island,’ he answered with assumed gravity. ‘Now your young friend--’ ‘Oh, Denny’s a boy.’ ‘You reject everyone,’ he said pathetically, and his eyes dwelt on me in amused scrutiny. ‘Your suggestions, my dear Pasha, seem hardly serious,’ said I in a huff. He was too many for me, and I struggled in vain against betraying my ruffled temper. ‘Well then, I will make two serious suggestions; that is a handsome _amende_. And for the first--yourself!’ I waved my hand and gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘You say nothing to that?’ ‘Oughtn’t I to hear the alternative first?’ ‘Indeed it is only reasonable. Well, then, the alternative--’ He paused, laughed, lit another cigarette. ‘The alternative is--myself,’ said he. ‘Still not serious!’ I exclaimed, forcing a smile. ‘Absolutely serious,’ he asserted. ‘I have the misfortune to be a widower, and for the second time; so unkind is heaven. She is most charming. I have, perhaps, a position which would atone for some want of youth and romantic attractions.’ ‘Of course, if she likes--’ ‘I don’t think she would persist in refusing,’ said Mouraki with a thoughtful smile; and he went on, ‘Three years ago, when I came here, she struck me as a beautiful child, one likely to become a beautiful woman. You see for yourself that I am not disappointed. My wife was alive at that time, but in bad health. Still I hardly thought seriously of it then, and the idea did not recur to me till I saw Phroso again. You look surprised.’ ‘Well, I am surprised.’ ‘You don’t think her attractive, then?’ ‘Frankly, that is not the reason for my surprise.’