"Nothing--nothing definite. He only spoke rather strangely before I sent him away; and I don't want to be alone with him, if I can help it. You see, he . . . he cares for me, Eldred; and I am afraid he thinks now that I--care for him. Oh, I feel contemptuously wicked! But I have been rather desperate this week, all on account of you; and I really think it's your business to protect me from the consequences!" "Of course it is my business, and my privilege to protect you," he answered fervently. Her confession of dependence was sweeter to him than honey in the honeycomb. "But you gave me an almighty snubbing the other day when I made a clumsy attempt at it." "Make allowances, _mon cher_, and don't fail me now." "Fail you?" He flashed a reproachful glance at her. "I hope I may never do that, while there's breath in my body! Trust me to be at your right hand when we start. Mrs Desmond will have wit enough to capture--your friend, if she sees that I want you." "Why? Does she know all about it?" "Just the bare facts. I told her myself." "And he?" "Certainly. They are one, those two, if ever man and woman achieved the miracle." "Does that account for his flattering attentions to me since Chumba?" "Quite possibly." "But that wasn't fair play! He is such a grand fellow; and I was so proud of my small conquest!" Her lighter mood was even more irresistible than her seriousness had been: but Lenox palled himself together. "Tell him so, and you'll make your conquest at once, if you've not made it already! Hullo--there is the last breakfast bugle. Shall we go in together? If I am doomed to fall in love with you, I may as well set about it at once!" Her answering look set a crown on him. "Ah, my dear," she whispered. "In spite of all you said last night, I am happy beyond words." "So am I," he answered simply. "Come." From her own area of luggage-strewn ground, Honor Desmond,--carrying little Paul, whom she had insisted on bringing into camp,--looked after them as they went, her glad heart in her eyes; and Desmond, coming up from behind, took her lightly by the arm. "Well, old lady," he asked. "Are you satisfied yet?" "Abundantly." "And am I to get my wife back again as a reward for distinguished services rendered?" "I imagine so!" she answered, laughing happily. "Unless you would rather keep your grievance!--Now go on to breakfast, darling; and I'll follow when I have packed this priceless person into his dandy. Whatever happens, he and Parbutti must run no risk of getting drenched." Breakfast was half through before Garth sauntered into the mess-tent: and Honor, who had watched for his coming, felt an unbidden pang of pity at sight of his blank face, when he beheld Quita sitting beside her husband, a bright spot of colour in either cheek, her eyes radiating a light that refused to be hidden under a bushel.