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162 Valliant's room. At the click of the gate, the casement was opened, and Mrs. Valliant said "Elsie?"

"Yes, mother, I am coming presently. Mr. Blake has brought me home, and I have an irresistible longing just to go down to the boathouse and see the moonlight on the water."

"Can't you see it from the verandah?" said Mrs. Valliant weakly.

Elsie laughed. "Poor mother! I shall come presently, dear. You can't think how hot and stuffy it was in the gallery. I couldn't sleep if I went to bed now."

"Oh, well ! " said Mrs. Valliant resignedly, and she closed the window.

The whole proceeding struck Blake as amazing. The mother was more amazing than the daughter. He was still more astonished when, as they walked along the little path, Elsie turned to him, and said abruptly "Goodnight."

"But you are not going in?"

"No, but I don't want you. Good-night."

"But the river, and the row?"

"Good gracious! What do you think of me?" she cried, fiercely. "I understand you very well. You are playing your game. I am playing mine. Good-night."

She walked on, and disappeared among the bananas, without again turning her head. He heard her go down the steps. He heard the sound of the boat pushing off. He saw her a few minutes later seated with the oars, rowing to the opposite side. It was quite bright enough for him to observe the grace of her movement, and the poise of her figure, and of her flower-like head upturned to the night.

She was on the water about a quarter of an hour, long enough to row across and back again. She gave a start when she saw him standing just where she had left him.

"Why didn't you go home?"

"Because I wanted to see that you got in without any harm coming to you. I couldn't insist upon going with you,