James," he added, turning to the footman, "tell Robert I want my sixteen-bore guns put in the car, and tell him to be very careful about the cartridges." He disappeared through the French windows.

Lady Ashleigh was studying the letter stretched out before her, her brows a little knitted, her expression distressed.

Ella had turned and was looking out westwards across the park, towards the sea.

For a moment she dreamed of all the wonderful things that lay on the other side of that silver streak.

She saw inside the crowded Opera House.