His eyes were very bright and he lifted his head. He looked unconquerable and his confidence was flattering. Flora's doubts had gone. He was her acknowledged lover and she was very staunch. "I must see your father when he gets back to town," Wyndham said presently. "The committee will keep him until too late to-night." "Yes," said Flora with faint misgivings, "you must see him soon." Wyndham's eyes twinkled. "It's possible he will get a jolt. I'll own I was half afraid; but I fear nothing now." "He loves me," Flora answered with a quiet look, and Wyndham said nothing, but pressed her arm. They left the castle grounds for the quiet beach, and in the meantime Mabel Hilliard and Marston leaned against the rails on the pier. For a time the girl watched the water foam among the pillars and then looked up. "Why didn't you speak to Wyndham?" she asked. Marston smiled. "I think the reason was plain; Harry didn't want us. Why didn't you speak to Flora?" Mabel made a sign of impatience. "I wanted to, but this would have been different. Flora wouldn't have suspected you were meddling." "I see," said Marston. "I'm known to be dull; but I'm not so dull that I miss your meaning. Well, you know Harry Wyndham's my friend." They were lovers who used no reserve, and Mabel did not hesitate. "Flora's my friend," she said. "Do you always trust Wyndham?" "If I didn't trust him, he wouldn't be my friend." "In some ways, you're very nice, Bob. But I'm afraid. Flora's attracted by Wyndham. I wish she were not." "Why? Don't you like Harry?" "It's rather that I love Flora. She's sincere and proud. She's fastidious; I think I mean she's scrupulously honorable." "Then you imply that Harry is not?" Marston asked, with a touch of sternness. "No, I don't altogether imply this; but I feel he is not the man for Flora." "Well," said Marston quietly, "I have known Harry long. He's clever and generous; he has pluck and when strain comes is his best. I know what some folks think about him, and Harry knows his handicap. The Wyndhams were rather a wild lot, the family business was drifting on the rocks, and the character of its recent head was not good. All this is a load for Harry, but he'll run straight, and I feel my job is to help him out." Mabel was not much comforted, but she gave him a smile. "If he is going to marry Flora, I want you to help him," she replied. They went off and some time afterwards Wyndham came along the pier. The fireworks were over and the crowd had gone, but a group of men stood about some steps that led to a narrow stage where the yachts' boats were moored. The tide ran fast, foaming against the iron pillars, but the promenade above threw a dark shadow on the water. Wyndham stopped at the steps and tried to see if _Red Rose_'s dinghy was tied among the rest. It was too dark; all he could distinguish was a row of boats that swung about. Then young Chisholm pushed past.