"’Don’t go,’ he said, putting out his hand as though to stop me. ’Eden without Eve was found too dull for Adam, and I should be deprived even of his occupation. There are no beasts here to name.’ "’You can let loose your inventive faculty,’ I said, ’and when you have finished with the animals you can invent Eve. You see, as fancy is the only reality, there can be no difficulty in the matter.’ "’But even fancy,’ he replied, ’requires inspiration, and if you leave me, its light will be extinguished. Don’t you know that as it takes two to quarrel, it takes two for inspiration--the inspirer and the inspired? Even children don’t care to play alone. Do you not sometimes find it dull in this lovely home of yours? But I forgot, you have a companion, and I should fancy a bright and lively one. I suppose, however, that your husband will soon be back now: I heard that he was suddenly called away to America shortly after your marriage. It must have been very annoying to both of you!’ "What could I say? It had never occurred to me before that sooner or later it would be necessary to explain things. It was quite evident that whether I did so or not, people would soon hear of my husband’s return to England. It seemed therefore better to give my own version rather than allow some worse report to get about, so I answered-- "’I would rather not go into the matter, but perhaps I ought to say that my marriage was a mistake, and that I think it very improbable that you will ever see Lord Vancome here!’ "Captain Frint looked at me for a moment, evidently so taken aback that he was unable to speak. It was quite plain that no report of the scandal had hitherto reached him. Then his manner changed: the half flippant tone in which he had before spoken was no longer noticeable as he said-- "’I am very sorry indeed. I had no idea of your trouble, or of course should not have referred to the subject. I hope you will forgive me.’ "’There is nothing to forgive,’ I said. ’You must have known some time, and now I shall feel more comfortable when we meet. But do not let others know what I have told you; for though it is sure to come out, there is no occasion to make one’s private affairs public while it is possible to keep them quiet.’ "’You may trust me,’ he answered; ’and I shall always consider it a favour to be allowed to help you at any time and in any way. You have, I know, your father, but there are occasions perhaps when a younger man might be of some service. In any case I hope you will look upon me as your friend.’ "As he was speaking I heard the sound of laughter, and Amy called out to know where we were hiding. When she and her companion came up, she assured us that they had been looking all over the place to find us, which, considering that we had never moved from the terrace, seemed rather ridiculous.