"Yes," she said, her thoughts reverting to the discussion in the pavilion. "During half a programme you'll find time enough to tell me a good deal." He glanced at her quickly. "You didn't mind?" he said. "It's only the second half; and you'll be tired. You won't want to dance much." "Oh, indeed! Then what do you propose we shall do? If we don't dance we might as well remain at home." "We'll dance all you want to," he replied. "And we'll go for a stroll along the sea wall. The weather is too hot for being inside. You shall do what you like anyhow." "You are always so amenable, George," she said, smiling. "And you always get your own way in the end." He smiled back at her with gay confidence. "My luck's in," he replied. "The gods smile on me. I told you, Esme, that I meant to win." "I did my utmost to prevent you," she said. "You understand co-operation, partner," he returned coolly. "That's good enough for me." She did not in the least understand the drift of his remarks, although he believed he was tactfully preparing her for the declaration he intended making that night. The last thing she anticipated was the proposal which hovered continually in the forefront of Sinclair's mind. He intended to put his luck to the test that evening, and felt fairly confident as to the result. He had not the remotest suspicion of possessing a rival. The road ahead, so far as he could see, was perfectly clear. Book 2--CHAPTER FIFTEEN. It seemed to Sinclair that all the conditions that night favoured his suit. It was a perfect evening, warm and still, with a brilliant moon in a cloudless sky lighting the world with a luminous whiteness in which everything was revealed scarcely less clearly than in the daylight. It was a night for lovers, for the open air and solitude; it was not a night for dancing. Sinclair, after the first dance, which he had with Esme, was content to remain on the outskirts of the crowd and look on at the rest. The floor was thronged with dancers. The lights, the music, the colour of the moving crowd, appealed pleasantly to the senses. He liked to watch; and every now and again he caught Esme's eye and won a smile from her which cheered him. She appeared more than usually sweet and kind that night, he thought.