But the words did not leave his lips, for the red glow flung from the lamp had found Monck's upturned face, and something--something about it--checked all speech for the moment. He was looking straight up at the lighted window and the face of a beautiful woman who gazed forth into the night. And his eyes were no longer cold and unresponsive, but burning, ardent, intensely alive. Tommy forgot what he was going to say and only stared. The moment passed; it was scarcely so much as a moment. And Monck moved on in his calm, unfaltering way. "Your sister is ready and waiting," he said. They ascended the steps together, and the girl who sat by the open window rose with a stately movement and stepped forward to meet them. "Hullo, Stella!" was Tommy's greeting. "Hope I'm not awfully late. They wasted such a confounded time over toasts at mess to-night. Yours was one of 'em, and I had to reply. I hadn't a notion what to say. Captain Monck thinks I made an awful hash of it though he is too considerate to say so." "On the contrary I said 'Hear, hear!' to every stutter," said Monck, bowing slightly as he took the hand she offered. She was wearing a black lace dress with a glittering spangled scarf of Indian gauze floating about her. Her neck and shoulders gleamed in the soft red glow. She was superb that night. She smiled at Monck, and her smile was as a shining cloak hiding her soul. "So you have started upon your official duties already!" she said. "It is the best man's business to encourage and console everyone concerned, isn't it?" The faint cynicism of her speech was like her smile. It held back all intrusive curiosity. And the man's answering smile had something of the same quality. Reserve met reserve. "I hope I shall not find it very arduous in that respect," he said. "I did not come here in that capacity." "I am glad of that," she said. "Won't you come in and sit down?" She motioned him within with a queenly gesture, but her invitation was wholly lacking in warmth. It was Tommy who pressed forward with eager hospitality. "Yes, and have a drink! It's a thirsty right. It's getting infernally hot. Stella, you're lucky to be going out of it." "Oh, I am very lucky," Stella said. They entered the lighted room, and Tommy went in search of refreshment. "Won't you sit down?" said Stella. Her voice was deep and pure, and the music in it made him wonder if she sang. He sat facing her while she returned with apparent absorption to the fastening of her gloves. She spoke again after a moment without raising her eyes. "Are you proposing to take up your abode here to-morrow?" "That's the idea," said Monck. "I hope you and Tommy will be quite comfortable," she said. "No doubt he will be a good deal happier with you than he has been for the past few weeks with me." "I don't know why he should be," said Monck.