More than once in these later weeks he had found, in the dumb sympathy and understanding of the little widow, something that had been to him like shadow in the desert.

He was known to fame as one of the smartest young aide-de-camps in the army, and fabulously rich besides.
His invitation cards, carelessly stacked in his Curzon Street rooms, were a sight to see.

But Helena had crushed his manly spirit.

Sitting under the shadow of Mrs.Friend, he liked to watch from a distance the beautiful and dazzling creature who would have none of him.

He was very sorry for himself; but, all the same, he had had some rattling games of tennis; the weather was divine, and he could still gaze at Helena; so that although the world was evil, "the thrushes still sang in it." Buntingford and Geoffrey were seen walking up from the lake when tea was nearly over.
All eyes were turned to them.
"Now, then," said Julian Horne--"for the mystery, and its key.