"Algy! Where did you spring from?" Then they both drew quick breaths. "Come back towards the Serpentine, I must talk to you. Your horrid little note made me feel quite wretched, and I have been to Liv and Dev's to-day, and they refused to give me your address--why were you such a little cat, darling?" "I was not a cat, Algy." They had turned and were walking towards the Row. "I meant what I wrote--I want you to forget all about me. Joys can't go on--I have other things to do, dear." "But it is perfectly brutal of you, Katherine, when I love you so--and you love me--at least you told me that you did!" Katherine Bush's heart was beating very fast--would she have courage to keep to her determination now that she saw him face to face? He looked so extremely delectable, here in the lowering sunshine. He was everything that a woman could desire in the way of a lover. "I am in the hell of a mess, too," he sighed. "My father has cut up awfully rough about my transactions with Liv and Dev--and I had a bad week at Doncaster. I am in for a regular facer and am obliged to agree to be transferred to the Egyptian army for three years. Everything, even you, are against me." "No, I am not, Algy." There was quick sympathy and distress in her deep voice. "I hate to think that you are unhappy, and you know that I would help you in any way I could." "Then be kind to me, darling--and don't say you never want to see me again." Katherine Bush felt this was a supreme occasion--and that she must not waver. She so longed to comfort him, to let him kiss her and forget all his cares. The cynical side of her character, even at this moving moment, whispered that it was fortunate that they were out of doors! "When do you start for Egypt?" "As soon as I can get ready--my mother and sisters are going to winter out there, but probably I shall be sent to the Soudan!" Katherine had heard that they killed lions or something in that part of the world, she knew that sport meant a great deal in Lord Algy's life. "You will get some kind of shooting, won't you?" she suggested by way of consolation. But Lord Algy looked full of misery. They had walked on, taking a side path and were now in sight of two chairs. "Let us go and sit down," he pleaded. "I want to look at you. I can't, I won't believe, that you don't mean ever to be my own girl any more." "Algy, I do mean it--just as much for you as for myself." They had reached the chairs and sat down, Lord Algy pushed his hat to the back of his head; his immaculately brushed hair glistened bronze in the setting sun, and his forehead was puckered with distress. His attractive eyes sought hers with a fond persistence. Katherine Bush was obliged to clench her hands tight in the pockets of her coat.