yourself excused."
"Many thanks!" said Max. "I am going to give myself the pleasure of waiting upon you."
"Nick can do that," said Olga. "Do go and get a rest!"
"My dear, if you show yourself so anxious to be rid of him, he'll stay," protested Violet. "Haven't you discovered that yet? You should display an elegant indifference, a pray-stay-if-you've-a-mind-to-but-don't- imagine-that-I-want-you kind of attitude. There are not many men who can face that for long." She broke off to yawn. "No, thanks. Nothing to eat. I'm too sleepy. Well, Nick, have you settled the affairs of the nation satisfactorily?"
"On the contrary. The nation is trying to settle mine," said Nick.
"Oh, really! What more could anyone want you to do?"
"I'm specially qualified for many things, it seems," said Nick modestly.
"What has Hunt-Goring been here for?"
"Managed to break his thumb," said Max.
"Yes, and stayed philandering all the afternoon," chimed in Violet. "How did you manage to get rid of him, Allegro? He wouldn't go for me."
"Dr. Wyndham came back early and sent him home in the car," said Olga, with a slight effort.
"I was bored to death with him," declared Violet. "I simply deserted him at last because I couldn't keep my eyes open. Give me my tea strong, please, or I shall fall asleep again under your eyes."
"Do you mind if I smoke?" said Max.
"Not in the least; quite delighted."
He offered her his cigarette-case. "P'raps you'll join me."
"No, thanks. I've been smoking all the afternoon." She stretched up her arms behind her head; they were bare to the elbow, soft and white and rounded. Her eyelids began to droop a little more. She snuggled down into the chair, plainly on the verge of slumber.
And in that moment Olga looked at Max. He was intently watching the girl, so intently that he was oblivious of everything else; and into her mind, all-unbidden, there flashed again the memory of the green dragon-fly—the monster of the stream—darting upon the little scarlet moth. It sent a curious revulsion of feeling through her. For the moment she felt physically sick.
Then impetuously, desperately, she intervened, "Violet, dear, wake up and have your tea! It's this horrid thundery weather that is affecting you. I've felt it myself. Max, you won't get much of a rest if you don't go soon."
Instantly his eyes were turned upon her, and she was conscious of the sudden quickening of her heart; for she saw at a glance that he resented her interference.
"Go on, Max!" grinned Nick. "Why can't you take a graceful hint, man?
There may be another luckless little brat wanting you to-night."
"One thing at a time," said Max curtly.
He took out a cigarette and lighted it, a frown between his shaggy brows. He looked neither at Violet nor Olga but his attitude was one of stubborn determination.
"Are you waiting to see me drink my tea?" asked Violet, rousing herself in response to Olga's hand on her arm.
"I am," he said.
"Oh, well, that's soon done," she said, and raised the cup to her lips.
Max smoked on, taciturn and frowning. Violet finished her tea, and asked for more. He finished his cigarette and turned to her.
"I wonder if you would let me try one of yours."
"Not now, I'm afraid," she made answer. "I left my case upstairs."
He lighted another of his own and rose.
"Good-night!" said Nick.
"I shall be down to dinner," Max responded gruffly, and sauntered away.
"Ill-tempered cuss!" said Nick. "What's the matter with him?"
"He's jealous," said Violet.
"Of whom?" Nick was frankly curious.
"Of Major Hunt-Goring. He's been dangling after me half the afternoon.
How would you like me to marry him, Allegro?"
"Who?" said Olga, turning crimson.
"Oh, not Max, you may be sure!" Her friend laughed mischievously. "Max is only an interlude."
"And Hunt-Goring the main theme?" suggested Nick.
She laughed again indifferently. "Perhaps, I can't say I'm enamoured of him, though. He's rather a brute at heart, underneath the oil-silk. Well, I'm going to lie in the hammock and sleep."
She got up, stretched luxuriously, and strolled away over the grass.
Nick watched her go with flickering, observant eyes; but he made no comment upon her. Only as she passed from sight, he made an odd little grimace as if dismissing a slightly distasteful subject from his mind. Then he turned to his niece.
"Well, my chicken, you've had a busy afternoon."
"A beastly afternoon, Nick!" she responded warmly. "And I'm very glad it's over, and I don't want to talk about it. Tell me about your doings instead! What were you wanted for?"
"Prepare for a shock!" said Nick. "I haven't got over it myself yet. They want to pack me off to India again. I told 'em I couldn't go, but they seem to take it for granted that I shall. Don't know what Muriel will say to it, I'm sure. They say it would be only a six months' job, but I have my doubts of that."
"Nick! India!"
"India, my child—naked and unadulterated India! The Imperial Commissioners have quite decided that I'm the man for the job. I kept on saying 'Can't!' and 'Won't!' But that didn't make the least difference. Old Reggie Bassett's doing, I'll lay a wager. He will have it that my genius is thrown away in England. And they inform me rather brutally that my seat in Parliament would be far more easily filled than this Sharapura post. Also the young Rajah has done me the honour to ask for me. We went pig-sticking together once—years ago, and I chanced to head off Piggie at a critical moment for young Akbar. On the strength of that, he wants me to go and be his political adviser for a few months. It seems the State is in rather a muddle. His father was a shocking old shuffler, and there are plenty of budmashes about, if report says true. But this young Rajah is anxious to get things straightened out, and the Commissioner wants a report made and so on. Altogether," Nick paused with a smile on his yellow face, "they were very persuasive," he said.
"Nick! You're going!" Olga exclaimed.
He laughed. "If you want my impartial opinion as to that," he said, "I believe I am."
She drew a deep breath. Her eyes were shining. "Oh, how I wish I were a man! I'd come with you."
"Ladies are admitted," said Nick.
"Ah! I wonder what Muriel
