Then impetuously, desperately, she intervened, "Violet, dear, wake up and have your tea! It's this horrid thundery weather that is affecting you. I've felt it myself. Max, you won't get much of a rest if you don't go soon." Instantly his eyes were turned upon her, and she was conscious of the sudden quickening of her heart; for she saw at a glance that he resented her interference. "Go on, Max!" grinned Nick. "Why can't you take a graceful hint, man? There may be another luckless little brat wanting you to-night." "One thing at a time," said Max curtly. He took out a cigarette and lighted it, a frown between his shaggy brows. He looked neither at Violet nor Olga but his attitude was one of stubborn determination. "Are you waiting to see me drink my tea?" asked Violet, rousing herself in response to Olga's hand on her arm. "I am," he said. "Oh, well, that's soon done," she said, and raised the cup to her lips. Max smoked on, taciturn and frowning. Violet finished her tea, and asked for more. He finished his cigarette and turned to her. "I wonder if you would let me try one of yours." "Not now, I'm afraid," she made answer. "I left my case upstairs." He lighted another of his own and rose. "Good-night!" said Nick. "I shall be down to dinner," Max responded gruffly, and sauntered away. "Ill-tempered cuss!" said Nick. "What's the matter with him?" "He's jealous," said Violet. "Of whom?" Nick was frankly curious. "Of Major Hunt-Goring. He's been dangling after me half the afternoon. How would you like me to marry him, Allegro?" "Who?" said Olga, turning crimson. "Oh, not Max, you may be sure!" Her friend laughed mischievously. "Max is only an interlude." "And Hunt-Goring the main theme?" suggested Nick. She laughed again indifferently. "Perhaps, I can't say I'm enamoured of him, though. He's rather a brute at heart, underneath the oil-silk. Well, I'm going to lie in the hammock and sleep." She got up, stretched luxuriously, and strolled away over the grass. Nick watched her go with flickering, observant eyes; but he made no comment upon her. Only as she passed from sight, he made an odd little grimace as if dismissing a slightly distasteful subject from his mind. Then he turned to his niece. "Well, my chicken, you've had a busy afternoon." "A beastly afternoon, Nick!" she responded warmly. "And I'm very glad it's over, and I don't want to talk about it. Tell me about your doings instead! What were you wanted for?" "Prepare for a shock!" said Nick. "I haven't got over it myself yet. They want to pack me off to India again. I told 'em I couldn't go, but they seem to take it for granted that I shall. Don't know what Muriel will say to it, I'm sure. They say it would be only a six months' job, but I have my doubts of that." "Nick! India!"