"
She was silent then, and Trent was far from being discouraged by
her momentary irritability. He was crossing the lawn now by her
side, carrying himself well, with a new confidence in his air and
bearing which she did not fail to take note of. The sunlight, the
music, and the pleasant air of excitement were all in his veins.
He was full of the strong joy of living. And then, in the midst of
it all, came a dull, crashing blow. It was as though all his
castles in the air had come toppling about his ears, the blue sky
had turned to stony grey and the sweet waltz music had become a
dirge. Always a keen watcher of men's faces, he had glanced for a
second time at a gaunt, sallow man who wore a loose check suit and
a grey Homburg hat. The eyes of the two men met. Then the blood
had turned to ice in Trent's veins and the ground had heaved beneath
his feet. It was the one terrible chance which Fate had held
against him, and she had played the card.
Considering the nature and suddenness of the blow which had fallen
upon him, Trent's recovery was marvellous. The two men had come
face to face upon the short turf, involuntarily each had come to a
standstill. Ernestine looked from one to the other a little
bewildered.
"I should like a word with you, Trent," Captain Francis said quietly.
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