"Yes, it's a sling," he said casually. "I'd been hunting with the Devon and Somerset; I found London unbearable, and I came down here suddenly. I meant to write and tell you; but just then I wasn't in the humor to write to any one, even to you. I lost my way in one of the runs, and was riding down the top of the hill here, riding carelessly, I'll admit, for when the horse shied, I was chucked off. I broke my arm and knocked my head. Oh, don't trouble," he added hastily, as if to ward off her commiseration. "I am all right now; the arm will soon be in working order again." "I'm very sorry," she said, lifting her eyes to his, but only for a moment. "You look rather pulled down and seedy." "Oh, I'm all right," he said. "And now, as I have explained my presence here, perhaps you will explain yours." "I've come here in the _Seagull_," she said. "Father's on board. He said you'd offered to lend the yacht to him--you did, I suppose?" Drake nodded indifferently. "Oh, yes," he said. "The _Seagull_ was quite at your father's service." "Well, father made a party; Sir Archie Walbrooke, Mrs. Horn-Wallis and her husband, Lady Pirbright, and ourselves." Drake nodded as indifferently as before. He knew the persons she had mentioned; members of the smart set in which he had spent his life--and his money; and Lady Lucille continued in somewhat apologetic fashion: "We went to the Solent first, for the races; then, when they were all over, everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves so much that father--you know what he is--suggested that we should sail round the Devon coast. It hasn't been a bad time; and Sir Archie has been rather amusing, and Mrs. Horn-Wallis has kept things going. Oh, yes; it hasn't been so bad." "I'm glad you've been amused, Luce," he said, his eyes resting upon the beautifully fair face with a touch of cynicism. "We'd no idea you were anywhere here," she said, "or, of course, I would have written and asked you to join us; though, I suppose, under the circumstances----" She hesitated for a moment, then went on with a little embarrassment, which in no way detracted from her charm of voice and manner: "I told father that, after what had happened, it was scarcely in good taste to borrow your yacht. But you know what father is. He said that though things were altered, your offer of the _Seagull_ stood good; that you told him you didn't mean to use her this season, and that it was a pity for her to lie idle. And so they persuaded me--very much against my will, I must admit--to join them, and--and here I am, as you see." Drake puffed at his pipe.