"He can," said the barrister, taking a step forward, "and he can support the cause of"--with emphasis--"any lady." The advocate of the Stone Age, standing at the open door, raised her lorgnette, and surveyed the group. "Most interesting," she said, with cool impertinence; "quite a comedy. Let us hope that it will not merge into a tragedy." And, biting her lip, she departed, with a glare at her obstinate nephew. Guessing that Lady Sophia was offended, and pretty certain of the reason, Mona did not dare to follow. The motor car of Lady Sophia was heard whirring down the avenue in the hot sunshine, and only when the sound died away did Miss Chent return to the three men. "What more have you to say, Captain Jadby?" she asked politely. "It seems to me that there is little need of an explanation," he answered, with another shrug, and compressing his lips. "None at all that I can see," rejoined Shepworth in a cool voice. "I think Captain Jadby had better go." "Not until I receive Mona's answer from her own lips," he snarled, and looked a very ugly customer in his impotent wrath. "Miss Chent to you," said the girl equably. "Mona! Mona!" vociferated the captain, "I have a double right to call you by your christian name." "I did not even know that you had a single right," she retorted. "I have; Sir Oliver wished us to marry." "Quite so, and for that reason I became engaged to Mr. Shepworth." Prelice gave a gasp, and turned to his friend. Ned nodded. "It is true, Dorry," said the barrister. "When I was stopping here, during the lifetime of Sir Oliver, this man," he indicated Captain Jadby with contempt, "pestered Miss Chent with his attentions. Sir Oliver was on his side--why, I can't say--but----" "I can tell you now," interrupted Jadby hoarsely; "I am Sir Oliver's son, and Mona is my cousin." There was a second silence. "I don't believe it," said Prelice decidedly, and his opinion was echoed by Miss Chent and Shepworth. Jadby threw back his handsome head scornfully. "It matters little what you believe," he said violently, "since what I say is the truth, and no denial can make it anything else. My mother was the daughter of a great chief of Tahiti." "Oh!" broke in Prelice impulsively, "then you are a half-caste?"