out of the way."

The man rose from his knee without showing any resentment and
walked some little distance away, where he stood with his arms
folded, looking out to sea. He seemed much too occupied with
something of personal interest to concern himself with a
woman's fainting-spell. The girl lifted herself slowly to her
elbow, and then, before Gordon could assist her, rose with a
quick, graceful movement and stood erect upon her feet. She
placed a detaining hand for an instant on the American's arm.

"Thank you very much," she said. "I am afraid I have been
imprudent in going out into the sun." Her eyes were fixed
upon the Frenchman, who stood moodily staring at the sea and
tearing one of his finger-nails with his teeth. He seemed
utterly oblivious of their presence. The girl held out her
hand for the parasol she had dropped and took it from Gordon
with a bow.

"May I walk back with you to your hotel?" he asked. "Unless
this gentleman----"

"Thank you," the girl said, in tones which the Frenchman could
have easily overheard had he been listening. "I am quite able
to go alone now; it is only a step."

She was still regarding the Frenchman closely; but as he was
obviously unconscious of them she moved so that Gordon hid her
from him, and in an entirely different voice she said,
speaking rapidly,--