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 “Are you very busy now?” she asked.

“Oh, dear, no.”

He answered almost before he was aware of it. Yet he quickly realised that he could have given no other reply.

“Then let me drive you round the Park; or shall I drive you home?”

“It’s ages since I have driven round the Park,” he said.

She made room for him on the seat beside her, and the champing horses were immediate- ly set going.

This too was a help for him, and as they bowled along he flung glances to right and left, but never at her, although she chatted in- cessantly. He did not notice that her chatter ceased of a sudden, and that a strained, wistful look came into those great dark eyes.

“Who are you looking for?” she asked. He started, but as he turned to her he was smi- ling, and the answer came pat enough:

“I was wondering if we should see any of our unfortunate friends.”

“Unfortunate?”

“Having to remain here in the dog-days.”