At the end of luncheon she realized with surprise that there had not been an awkward moment. They went out on to the _stoep_ to smoke cigarettes when it was over, and drink the coffee which she went to prepare. It was when she was coming out with this that she first heard Guy's cough--a most terrible, rending sound that filled her with dismay. Stepping out on to the _stoep_ with her tray, she saw him bent over the back of a chair, convulsed with coughing, and stood still in alarm. She had never before witnessed so painful a struggle. It was as if he fought some demon whose clutch threatened to strangle him. Burke came to her and took the tray from her hands. "He'll be better directly," he said. "It was the cigarette." With almost superhuman effort, Guy succeeded in forcing back the monster that seemed to be choking him, but for several minutes thereafter he hung over the chair with his face hidden, fighting for breath. Burke motioned to Sylvia to sit down, but she would not. She stood by Guy's side, and at length as he grew calmer, laid a gentle hand upon his arm. "Come and sit down, Guy. Would you like some water?" He shook his head. "No--no! Give me--that damned cigarette!" "Don't you be a fool!" said Burke, but he said it kindly. "Sit down and be quiet for a bit!" He came up behind Guy, and took him by the shoulders. Sylvia saw with surprise the young man yield without demur, and suffer himself to be put into the chair where with an ashen face he lay for a space as if afraid to move. Burke drew her aside. "Don't be scared!" he said, "It's nothing new. He'll come round directly." Guy came round, sat slowly up, and reached a shaking hand towards the table on which lay his scarcely lighted cigarette. "Oh, don't!" Sylvia said quickly. "See, I have just brought out some coffee. Won't you have some?" Burke settled the matter by picking up the cigarette and tossing it away. Guy gave him a queer look from eyes that seemed to bum like red coals, but he said nothing whatever. He took the coffee Sylvia held out to him and drank it as if parched with thirst. Then he turned to her. "Sorry to have made such an exhibition of myself. It's all this infernal sand. Yes, I'll have some more, please. It does me good. Then I'll get back to my own den and have a sleep." "You can sleep here," Burke said unexpectedly. "No one will disturb you. Sylvia never sits here in the afternoon." Again Sylvia saw that strange look in Guy's eyes, a swift intent glance and then the instant falling of the lids. "You're very--kind," said Guy. "But I think I'll get back to my own quarters all the same." Impulsively Sylvia intervened. "Oh, Guy, please,--don't go back to that horrible little shanty on the sand! I got a room all ready for you yesterday--if you will only use it."