Rudyard Kipling 17] and the steamer slewing round. How good that looks! l'll sketch it. No, I can’t. I’m afflicted with ophthalmia. That was one of the ten plagues of Egypt, and it extends up the Nile in the shape of cataract. Ha! that’s a joke, Torp. Laugh, you graven image, and stand clear of the hawser. .. . It'll knock you into the water and make your dress all dirty, Maisie dear.” “Ohl!” said Torpenhow. “This happened before. That night on the river.” “She'll be sure to say it’s my fault if you get muddy, and you're quite near enough to the breakwater. Maisie, that’s not fair. Ah! I knew you’d miss. Low and to the left, dear. But you’ve no conviction. Don’t be angry, darling. ’'d cut my hand off if it would give you anything more than obstinacy. My right hand, if it would serve.” “Now we mustn’t listen. Here’s an island shouting across seas of misunderstanding with a vengeance. But it’s shouting truth, I fancy,” said Torpenhow. The babble continued. It all bore upon Maisie. Sometimes Dick lectured at length on his craft, then he cursed himself for his folly in being enslaved. He pleaded to Maisie for a kiss — only one kiss — before she went away, and called to her to come back from Vitry-sur-Marne, if she would; but through all his ravings he bade heaven and earth witness that the queen could do no wrong. Torpenhow listened attentively, and learned every detail of Dick’s life that had been hidden from him. For three days Dick raved through the past, and then a natural sleep. “What a strain he has been running under, poor chap!” said Torpenhow. “Dick, of all men, handing himself over like a dog! And I was lecturing him on arrogance! I ought to have known that it was no use to judge a man. But I did it. What a demon that girl must be! Dick’s given her his life, — confound him!