"Tell her the truth, dear fellow, so that she understands it. Make her realise that the dearest wish of my life is her happiness--and yours." He reached up a hand to the motionless figure beside him. "Just this one thing, Boney," he pleaded gently. "Remember--I came back because of it. It will be my happiness too. I want to feel that all is well between you. God knows I want it more than anything else on earth." Nap gripped the proffered hand and held it fast. "But she won't have me, you know," he said, after a moment. "She only forgave me because of you." "Shucks, dear fellow! I guess that wasn't the reason." "I wish to heaven you'd let me off," Nap said, with sudden vehemence. "Let me shunt first instead of last. It's more than I can face--even for you." "But I guess you'll face it all the same," said Lucas gently. "And when it's over, come--both of you--and tell me." He closed his eyes and turned his face to the sunshine. "So long, old chap!" he said. "Don't stay indoors. I'm not wanting you. Think I'll get to sleep presently. Don't let them wake me if I do." But Nap lingered, still holding his hand. "Luke!" he said. There was a note of entreaty in his voice, but, for the second time in his life, Lucas turned a deaf ear. The smile was still on his lips, but his eyes remained closed. "Go, dear fellow!" he said softly. "And God bless you!" And Nap turned with a set face and went straight from the room. CHAPTER XVI THE STRAIGHT GAME It was drawing towards evening on that same day when Anne, who had been spending the afternoon at the Dower House, walked back across the park. She went by way of the stream along which she and Nap had once skated hand in hand in the moonlight, and as she went she stooped now and then to gather the flowers that grew in the grass beside her path. But her face as she did it was grave and thoughtful. She did not seem to notice their fragrance. As she neared the lake she moved more slowly, and reaching a rustic seat beneath a cedar that shadowed the entrance to the gardens she sat down, her grey eyes fixed upon the water that gurgled at her feet. A brilliant green dragon-fly, darting meteor-like across her vision, came presently to disturb her reverie. With a slight start she awoke, and leaned forward with an odd eagerness to mark its progress. As it flashed away through the shadows a quick sigh came to her lips. It was so fair a thing, so swiftly gone. She gathered up her flowers and rose. And in that moment she knew that she was not alone. How she knew it she could not have said. No sound or shadow told her. No hand touched her. Yet she knew. For a few seconds she stood motionless on the edge of the stream. Then without turning she spoke. "Were you looking for me?" "Yes," he said. He came to her side. They were close--close to that spot where once he had so arrogantly claimed her friendship. To-day it seemed he had no word to utter.