She had vanished before he could interpose, slipping away so noiselessly, he was scarcely aware of her swift action. His eyes followed the more deliberate movements of the man, who slowly descended the broad steps, pausing when once on the gravelled walk to glance curiously back at the house. West thought his interest centred on the open window of the room he had occupied, but this was merely a conjecture, for the delay was but for a moment; shortly after Coolidge strolled on directly toward the summer-house, the blue smoke of the cigarette marking his progress. West stepped carelessly forth from the concealment of the vines, watchful for any change of expression on the face of the other. There was none, not even a look of surprise, or a tightening of the lip. "Ah! Captain," he said easily, tossing his stub aside, and drawing forth his case for another. "Glorious air this morning; the advantage of early rising; you indulge, I presume?" "An army habit, I mean to do away with later. Thanks. I suppose breakfast is not ready?" "Hardly yet," glancing about inquiringly. "My niece is usually out here at this hour, which accounts for my venturing forth. She is not here?" "Not now, although there are evidences that she has been," indicating the gloves and pruning shears visible beside the walk. "We must have arrived too late." "So it seems. You came with the same purpose, no doubt?" "If you mean the hope of encountering Natalie, your guess is correct. She would not give me a word last night, and has even overturned my plans this morning. Does she play hide and seek with you also?" "Does she! One never knows what she will do. But this last escapade is the strangest of all." "You refer to our engagement?" "Assuredly; I had no warning, no conception of such a thing." "Do you mean, sir, that she had never consulted you? never even mentioned me to you before?" "Exactly. You are aware of who I am, I presume? the position I hold relative to her property?" "Certainly; you are her uncle and guardian. Under the terms of the will you remain in full control until she is twenty-five, now almost at hand, except for an annual income payable to her monthly. Is not that the situation?" "You have apparently made very careful inquiry," he commented with a perceptible sneer. "No doubt this was a matter of deep interest to you." "Of some interest, I confess," acknowledged West, controlling his temper. "Although my information has not come from inquiry. Miss Natalie was kind enough to talk to me about her affairs, presupposing my interest in them. However, I assure you, I have no personal ambition along this line." "Indeed; not fortune-hunting then?" "Far from it," good humouredly, but keenly aware that he was touching Coolidge. "My family is far from poverty stricken, and I have a very good profession. It is quite right you should know this." "What profession, may I ask?" "Civil Engineer." "But not established, I imagine?"