the poor child is so sad and lonely, so wretchedly unhappy — and Sir John riding the West with all his hellish crew! And she has no news of him — and asks it of me — — ”

She descended a step and stood on the stair beside

me, looking up at me very sweetly, and resting her hand lightly on my shoulder — a caress so frank and unconcealed that it meant no more then its innocent significance implied. But at that moment, by chance, I encountered Lois’s eyes fixed on me in cold surprise. And, being a fool, and already unnerved, I turned red as a pippin, as though I were guilty, and looked elsewhere till the heat cooled from my cheeks.

“You dear boy,” said Lana gently. “If there were more men like you and fewer like —