"Short and sweet," he said, handing the paper back, with a puzzled look on his face; "but I don't understand it." "It's easily explained," replied Miss Pethram, composedly. "Mr. Dombrain is my father's solicitor, and is advertising for a chaperon--for me." "For you! But you have Mrs. Valpy." "Mrs. Valpy is a dear old lady, but she is--Mrs. Valpy." "It is a very serious thing to advertise in a paper for a chaperon. You never know the kind of person you may get." "Mr. Dombrain will." "Mr. Dombrain may not be infallible," retorted Archie, feeling rather angry, he knew not why, at the repetition of the name. "If your father wished you to have a chaperon, why didn't he ask Mrs. Valpy to recommend some one." Kaituna laughed. "I'm sure I can't tell you! Papa has gone away to New Zealand on business, and asked Mrs. Valpy to look after me in the meantime. He left instructions with Mr. Dombrain--in whom he has full confidence--that I was to be provided with a companion, so I suppose Mr. Dombrain's only idea of getting one suitable is through the newspapers." "I think it's a pity." "Oh, not at all! Don't be afraid of me, Mr. Maxwell; I assure you I can take excellent care of myself. All colonial girls can. They are more self-reliant than English young ladies. If I don't like the companion chosen for me by Mr. Dombrain, I'll easily get rid of her." "But if Mrs. Valpy recommended you someone who could introduce you into society." "Some pauper peeress I suppose you mean," said Kaituna, equitably. "No, I wouldn't care for that at all. I don't wish to go into society until my father comes home again. Then it will be easy, for the Pethrams are an old family, and have sisters and cousins and aunts everywhere. When I wish to see the world, I've no doubt papa will find some one to present me at Court; but at present I want a companion to talk to. I say a chaperon, but I mean a companion." "Oh, I wish!--I wish!" stuttered Archie, growing red; "I wish----" He stopped short, this wise young man, for he was on the verge of saying something very foolish, which might have jeopardised his chances with the Maori maiden, but the fruit was not yet ripe, so with wisdom beyond his years, he refrained from finishing his sentence. "You've wished three times," said Miss Pethram calmly. "What is it about?" "The wish?" "Yes!" "I wish that you may get a good chaperon." "So do I, but I suppose they are as difficult to get as anything else. I'm afraid I'll be very hard to please. Of course, it's a difficult thing to choose a person to live with." "Even in marriage." Kaituna blushed, and folded up the paper in a somewhat embarrassed fashion. "Marriage is a lottery," she said at length, with an attempt at lightness. "I think I've heard that remark before." "Very likely. It's hard to say anything original nowadays." "I suppose," said Archie, after a pause, "that when your chaperon is chosen by Mr. Dombrain, she will come down here."