“Yes. I’ve been an ass, imagining all sorts of silly rot. She’s not very strong, I’m afraid, but she’s happy, and—well, you know, their life out there is lonely, of course, but there’s something about it, rather—rather charming, you know. I’d like you to see it for yourself. I was speaking about you to Muriel. She wants to know you, and I think you’d like her. Would you come out there to tea with me this afternoon?” “Yes!” cried Lexy, with a vehemence that surprised him. There was nothing in the world she wanted more at that moment than to see Captain Grey’s sister and to visit Dr. Quelton’s house. She didn’t exactly know why, and she didn’t care, but she wanted to. Her trunk had not yet arrived. Indeed, she had only sent to Mrs. Enderby’s for it that morning, but she was able to make herself presentable with what she had in her bag, and excitement gave her an added charm. She was in high spirits, gay and sparkling, so pretty and so lively that Captain Grey was quite dazzled. He had engaged the one and only taxi. After they were settled in it, and on their way along the muddy road, he said: “I say, Miss Moran, are there many American girls like you?” “No!” replied Lexy calmly. “I’m unique.” “I can believe that!” he said. “I’ve never seen any one like you. I was telling Muriel how much I hope that you and she will hit it off. It would be a wonderful thing for her to have a friend like you in this place.” Something in his tone made Lexy turn serious. He was speaking as if she was simply a nice girl he had happened to meet, as if she had nothing to do but go out to tea and make agreeable friendships. “Yes,” she said, “but I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I certainly haven’t accomplished much so far.” He was silent, and to Lexy his silence was very eloquent. “I came here for a definite purpose,” she told him. “I haven’t forgotten that, and I’m not likely to forget it.” “I know,” said he, “but—” “But,” interrupted Lexy, “I know very well what you’re thinking—that it’s a wild-goose chase, and that I’m a young idiot. Isn’t that it?” “I don’t mean that,” he protested; “only—don’t you see?” “I don’t!” Lexy grimly denied. “You’ve thought over the talk we had last night, and you’ve decided that it was all nonsense.” “No, Miss Moran—not nonsense; but we were both a bit tired then, and perhaps a bit overwrought.” “All right!” said Lexy. “Don’t go on! No—please drop it. I’ve talked too much, anyhow. From now on I’m not going to talk to any one about my little job. I’m going to go ahead in my own way, alone.” “You can’t,” said Captain Grey firmly. “I’m here, you know.”