This time it is not merely my absence, if it ever were so.

I will know who or what has driven and hunted you so." Taken thus by surprise, every face but one bore witness to the truth: Eveena's distress, Eunane's mixed relief and dismay, shared in yet greater degree by Velna, who knew less of me, the sheer terror and confusion of the rest, were equally significant.

The Martial judge who said that "the best evidence was lost because colour could not be tested or blushes analysed," would have passed sentence at once.

But if Eive's air of innocent unconsciousness and childish indifference were not sincere, it merited the proverbial praise of consummate affectation, "more golden than the sun and whiter than snow." Eveena's momentary glance at once drew mine upon this "pet child," but neither disturbed her.

Nor did she overact her part.