He ran off, leaving them chatting, but he was back in a very short time bearing the necessary articles. "I bagged the first I could lay hands on," he explained, getting into the overcoat. "I hope nobody----" "Er--the coat happens to be mine," said Lionel pointedly. He liked Tony very well, but could hardly stomach so unblushing a theft. "Sorry, old chap, but I may want----" Tony put both hands on his shoulders and gazed deep into his eyes. "Little man," he said calmly, "listen to your wise old uncle. You _won't_ want it. Take it from me that you _won't_ want it. I'll send it back to-morrow. That will be in heaps of time." "Time for what?" said the puzzled Lionel, smiling out of sheer sympathy with the quizzical glance. "Oh, well--take it and be hanged to you!" "Thanks," said Tony. Then he took off his cap and advanced to Beatrice. "Good-by!" he said brightly. "Thanks a thousand times. I'll send you a picture post-card announcing my safe arrival." "And another to say when you've started work!" said Beatrice, smiling a little mistily. "Don't forget that!" "I start on Monday," he replied. "Don't know what it will be yet--perhaps aeroplanes, perhaps politics, possibly poultry farming. But it's going to materialize. Good-by, and--the very best!" Billing, who had said good-by, was already in the pilot's seat. "Come on!" he grunted mournfully, knowing he was bidding farewell to hopes managerial as well as amatory. Tony climbed up behind him and tucked the rug well round. "Let her go!" he said cheerfully. In obedience to the order Lionel gave the propeller a swing, the engine started, and in a few seconds the aeroplane began to run swiftly over the ground. Beatrice drew close to Lionel and put her arm through his. It seemed such a natural thing that he felt no surprise whatever, but only a tumultuous happiness. Together they stood watching the machine as it took the air and soared up in the magic of mechanical flight. They waved a final adieu, and Tony flourished his cap. "What would you say," shouted Billing when they had risen a hundred feet, "if I let her drop suddenly?" "Shouldn't have cared a week ago," shouted Tony in return; "you mustn't now." Billing grunted unintelligibly and gave his undivided attention to the pilotage.... On the dull earth below Beatrice and Lionel were walking silently toward the house. They were still arm in arm, but no word was spoken till they had reached the shelter of the garden. Then Lionel stopped and took her by the hands. "Ah, Beatrice!" he said. "Not yet! Not yet!" she breathed, holding back and inflaming his passion the more. "Wait a little! You mustn't say anything yet! Let us approach it sensibly and in a rational balanced mood if we can." She broke from him and laughed merrily. "Let us go in and have dinner first. Afterward, we can talk in the garden." "Tell me one thing," he said impetuously, "and I will be patient. Was there ever a Lukos?"