Turn into Public Gardens; nobody here just now, except a couple in front, who seem to have quarrelled--at least the lady's voice sounds displeased. Too dark to see, but as I come nearer--is it only my nervous fancy that--? No, I can't be mistaken, that _is_ ETHEL speaking now! "Why will you persist in speaking to me?" she is saying, "I don't know you--have the goodness to go away at once." Some impudent scoundrel is annoying her! Didn't know anything could make me so angry. I don't stop to think--before I know where I am, I have knocked the fellow down ... he can't be more surprised than _I_ am! It is all very well--but what is to become of me when he _gets up again?_ He is sure to make a row, and I can't go _on_ knocking him down! Must get ETHEL away first, should not like to be pounded into shapelessness before her eyes. "Miss DERING," I say, "you--you had better go on--leave him to me," (it will probably be the other way, though!) "Mr. CONEY!" she cries. "Oh, I am so glad!--but don't hurt him any more--_please_." He is getting up, as well as I can make out in the darkness, I am not _likely_ to hurt him any more ... I wish he would begin, this suspense is very trying. He _has_ begun--to weep bitterly! Never was so surprised in my life; he is too much upset even to swear, simply sits in the gutter boohooing. If he knew how grateful I am to him! However, I tell him sternly to "think himself lucky it is no worse," and leave him to recover. Must see ETHEL safe home after this. She and her father _did_ come in the yacht--they are at the Royal Hotel, and she missed her way and her maid somehow, trying to find a Circulating Library. She really seems pleased to meet me. It is not an original remark--but _what_ a delight it is to listen to the clear fresh tones of a well-bred girl--not that ETHEL's voice is anything to me _now!_ She "can't imagine what I find to do in Starmouth,"--then she did _not_ recognise me this afternoon, which is some comfort! I should like to tell her all, but it would be rather uncalled-for just now, perhaps. We talk on general matters, as we used to do. Singular how one can throw off one's troubles for the time--I am actually _gay!_ I can make _her_ laugh, and what a pretty rippling laugh she has! We have reached the Hotel--_already!_ [Illustration: "So many guests invite as here are writ."--_Shakspeare_.] Now I am here, it would be rude not to go in and see old DERING. I do. He is most cordial. Am I alone down here? Critical, this. After all, I _am_ alone--in my lodgings. "Then I must come to luncheon on board the _Amaryllis_ to-morrow." ETHEL (I _must_ get into the way of thinking of her as "Miss DERING") looks as if she expects me to accept. I had better go, and find an opportunity of telling her about LOUISE--who knows--they might become bosom friends. No, hang it, _that's_ out of the question!