"Quite incidentally," her aunt continued, "I heard the nicest possible things about him in Washington. Lady Ridlingshawe told me that the Lutchesters are one of the oldest families in England. He is a cousin of the Duke of Worcester, and is extraordinarily well connected in other directions. I must say he has a most distinguished appearance. A well-bred Englishman is so different from these foreigners." Pamela laid down her book and drew her writing block towards her. "I'll write and invite him down at once," she suggested. "Your uncle will be delighted," Mrs. Hastings purred.... Lutchester received his invitation in New York and arrived in Manchester three days later. Pamela met him at the station with a couple of boatmen by her side. "If you wouldn't mind sailing home?" she proposed. "The house is practically on an island, and the tide is just right. These men will take your luggage." They walked down to the little dock together. Pamela talked all the time, but Lutchester was curiously tongue-tied. "You'll find Uncle Theodore, and aunt, too, most amusing," she confided. "It is perfectly obvious that there is nothing uncle regrets so much as his temporary linking up with Fischer and his friends; in fact, he is going to Europe almost at once--I am convinced for no other reason than to give him an excuse, upon his return, for blossoming out as a fervent supporter of the Allies." "Are you going too?" Lutchester inquired. "Shall I? Well, I am not really sure," she declared, as they reached the little wooden dock. "I suppose I shall, especially if I can find something to do. I may even turn nurse." "You will be able to find plenty to do," he assured her. "If nothing else turns up, you can help me." They stepped on to the yacht. Pamela, a radiant vision in white, with white flannel skirt, white jersey and tam-o'-shanter, took the helm, and was busy for a few moments getting clear. Afterwards she leaned back amongst the cushions, with Lutchester by her side. "In the agitation of missing that buoy," he reminded her, "you forgot to answer my last suggestion." "Is there any way in which I could help you?" she asked. "You can help me in the greatest of all ways," he replied promptly. "You can give me just that help which only the woman who cares can give to the man who cares for her, and if that isn't exciting enough," he went on, after a moment's pause, "well, I dare say I can find you some work in the censor's department." "Isn't censoring a little dull?" she murmured. "Then you choose--" Her hand slipped into his. A little breeze filled their sails at that moment. The wonderful blue water of the bay sparkled with a million gleams of sunshine. Lutchester drew a great breath of content. "That's aunt on the landing-stage, watching us through her glasses," Pamela pointed out, making a feeble attempt to withdraw her hand. "It will save us the trouble," he observed, resisting her effort, "of explanations."