If this pursuit--to be doggedly literal--appeared to lag for a moment, if it did not seem to start with that instant _élan_ which one had a right to expect, be sure that there was a complication of sound reasons for that. Kerr, in the circumstances, was the appointed leader of the chase; and Kerr hesitated. Canning's desire to avoid the local society and be left free to outdoor exercise and sleep was, in truth, only too well known to him. And to-night, worse luck, the distinguished visitor appeared even less socially inclined than usual: annoyed when the select little party he had expected from northerly haunts had been found represented at the Beach by a telegram instead; increasingly bored by the desolate air of the all but empty hostelry. "When's the next train out of this hell-hole?"--such was Mr. Canning's last recorded remark up to this not uninteresting moment. Kerr, when he saw Mrs. and Miss Heth over the distance, merely made a genial exclamation, and then gazed. He was nearing forty, was Willie, short and slightly bald, with an increasing appreciation of the world's good things and as much good nature as his round figure called for. Canning's acquaintance he had by the chance of a lifelong friendship with Mrs. Allison Payne. By reason of a native clannishness and certain small obligations of a more material nature, he was more than ready to share his privileges with his brilliant cousins. But.... "So that's the drowned lady," said Canning's voice, rather moodily, at his elbow.... "Well, then, I know her." "Dandy girl, Carlisle," exclaimed Willie, instantly. "Great little piece of work...." One hundred feet away, opportunity unconsciously receded toward the piazza. Willie, having hesitated through no unfaithfulness, plunged with no want of tact. "Got to speak to 'em a minute--make inquiries--cousins, y' know. D' ye mind?" "My dear chap, why should I?" "Awright--just stop and say howdedo," said the plump diplomatist. "Won't take a minute...." And Canning, perceiving then that Kerr expected to make this stop in his company, said with an assurance not unbecoming to his lordly bearing: "If you please. And don't start anything, for pity's sake. I'm for bed in fifteen minutes." So it all fell out, according to the book. So it was that the pursuing feet were free to thunder. So Mrs. Heth heard the voice of the leal one, subdued from a distance: "_Howdedo, Cousin Isabel! How're you an' Carlisle this evening_?..." And so the maid turned, startled from her other-worldly dreams....