They sat together one afternoon on the edge of the river opposite Karnak. She had treated him like a brute beast all morning, and had watched his capability for wretchedness with the purring egoism that distinguished her; and now, as a change, she was seeing how happy she could make him. “You are such a dear,” she said. “I don’t know how I could have endured Luxor without you; and, thanks to you, it has been the loveliest week.” She looked at him from below her long lashes, through which there gleamed the divinest violet, smiling like a child at her friend. “And to-night? You made some delicious plan for to-night.” “Yes; it’s full moon to-night,” said he. “We are going to ride out to Karnak after dinner.” “That will be heavenly. And, Mr. Marsham, do let us go alone. There’s sure to be a mob from the hotel, so let’s start late, when they’ve all cleared out. Karnak in the moonlight, just with you.” That completely made Hugh’s mind up. For the last three days he had been on the look out for a moment that should furnish the great occasion; and now (all unconsciously, of course) she indicated it to him. This evening, then. And his heart leaped. “Yes, yes,” he said. “But why have I become Mr. Marsham again?” Again she looked at him, now with a penitent mouth. “Oh, I was such a beast to you this morning,” she said. “That was why. I didn’t deserve that you should be Hugh. But will you be Hugh again? Do you forgive me?” In spite of Hugh’s fixing the great occasion for this evening, it might have come then, so bewitching was her penitence, had not the rest of their party on donkeys, whom they had outpaced, come streaming along the river bank at this moment. “Ah, those tiresome people,” she said. “Hughie, what a bore everybody else is except you and me.” They got back to the hotel about sunset, and as they passed into the hall the porter handed Julia a telegram which had been waiting some couple of hours. She gave a little exclamation of pleasure and surprise, and turned to Hugh. “Come and have a turn in the garden, Hughie,” she said, “and then I must go down for the arrival of the boat. When does it come in?” “I should think it would be here immediately,” he said. “Let’s go down to the river.” Even as he spoke the whistle of the approaching steamer was heard. The girl hesitated a moment. “It’s a shame to take up all your time in the way I’m doing,” she said. “You told me you had letters to write. Write them now; then--then you’ll be free after dinner.” “To-morrow will do,” he said. “I’ll come down with you to the boat.” “No, you dear, I forbid it,” she said. “Oh, do be good, and write your letters. I ask you to.”