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"I' 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 knohat 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 ainst my

will, I must admit--to join them, and--and here I am, as you see"

Drake puffed at his pipe

"I see," he said "I needn't say that you are quite welco that I have As you say, things

are--altered How ed, perhaps your

letters, if I had received them, would have told me What was it that

you wrote me? Oh, don't be afraid," he added, with a faint smile, as she

turned her head away and poked with her sunshade at the crack in the

pave; I can bear it When a man has come a cropper in

every sense of the word, his nerves are braced for the receipt of