Two days later, on the 4th of September, Charmian had got rid of Claude as well as of old Jernington, and, in a condition of expectation that was tinged agreeably with triumph, was awaiting the arrival of important visitors. She had received a telegram from Lake: "Have got him into the Chateaux country going on to Orange hope on hope ever--ALSTON." And she knew that the fateful motor would inevitably find its way to the quay at Marseilles. She had had no difficulty in persuading Claude to go. When Jernington had departed Claude felt as if a strong prop had suddenly been knocked from under him, as if he might collapse. He could not work. Yet he felt as if in the little house which had seen his work he could not rest. "Go away," Charmian said to him. "Take a couple of weeks' complete holiday." "Where shall we go?" "But I am not going." He looked surprised. But she noticed that he did not look displeased. Nevertheless, thinking of the future and remembering Alston Lake's advice, she continued: "You need a complete change of people as well as of place. Is there anyone left in Algiers?" "If you don't come," he interrupted her quickly, "I'd much rather go quite alone. It will rest me much more." She saw by the look in his eyes that this sudden prospect of loneliness appealed to him strongly. He moved his shoulders, stretched out his arms. "Yes, it will do me good. You are right, Charmian. It is sweet of you to think for me as you do." And he bent down and kissed her. Then he hurried to his room, packed a very small trunk, and took the first train, as she had suggested, to Hammam R'rirha. "If you move from there mind you let me know your address," she said, as he was starting. "Of course." "I want always to know just where you are." "Of course I shall let you know. But I think I shall stay quietly at Hammam R'rirha." Charmian had been alone for five days when another telegram came: "Starting to-morrow for Algiers by the _Timgad_ Hurrah--ALSTON."