"Count Akira. I am so glad to see you again. Is that your boat? What a nice boat she is. When did you arrive and what are----" "Mara, Mara, Mara!" remonstrated Basil laughing, "how can the man answer so many questions all at once?" "I would need Gargantua's mouth as your Shakespeare says," observed Akira with a quiet smile, and his eyes also sparkled at the sight of the girl. "Come inside, Akira, and I will tell Miss Carrol," said Dane hospitably. He stepped into the house, but Akira did not follow immediately. He lingered behind with Mara, and, after a glance at the many windows of the house, he gave her hand a friendly shake. But his words were warmer than his gesture, for they were meant for Mara's private ear, while the handshake was for the benefit of any onlooker. "I have come, you see. You are glad?" and his black eyes looked volumes. Mara nodded, and from being a pale lily became a dewy rose. "Of course. Did I not promise to love you for seven lives?" "Your father will not understand that," said Akira dryly. Mara started. "Will you tell him?" she asked anxiously. The Count bowed stiffly. "I am a Japanese gentleman," he said in cool and high-bred tones, "and so I can do nothing against my honour. I cannot take you with me unless your father consents." "But he will not," breathed Mara, becoming pale with emotion. "He will. Already this morning he has received a long letter from me, which I sent from London. It explains how I love you, and asks for your hand." "But you are not of my religion!" whispered Mara distressed; "he may object to that." "I think not, as your father, from what I saw, is of no particular religion himself. I have a special license in my pocket. We can be married to-day in your own church and by your own priest. When we reach Japan we can be married according to Shinto rites." "But your family?" "I have my uncle in London. On hearing all about you, he has agreed. There will be no trouble with my family." Mara, still nervous, would have asked further questions and would have put forward further objections, but that Patricia made her appearance at the door. She looked singularly beautiful, although she was not so in Akira's eyes. He preferred the small features and colourless looks of Mara. Patricia's face was too boldly cut and too highly coloured to be approved of by an Oriental. "How are you, Count?" said Miss Carrol, shaking hands. "Very well; and you? But I need not ask, Miss Carrol." Akira laughed in a very sympathetic way for him. "Dane has told me." "Oh!" Patricia blushed. "I wish you all happiness, and may you be united for seven lives." "What does that mean?" "I know! I know!" cried Mara, clapping her hands and jumping; "in Japan we all believe in reincarnation, and lovers promise each other to love during seven earth-seasons." "But you are not a Japanese, Mara," said Patricia, wondering that the girl should so boldly couple herself with Akira.