"She's just crazy after the soldiers," he said to Mr. Blundell, whom he
was trying to spur on to a desperate effort. "I've been watching her
close, and I can see what it is now; she's romantic. You're too slow and
ordinary for her. She wants somebody more dazzling. She told Daly only
yesterday afternoon that she loved heroes. Told it to him to his face.
I sat there and heard her. It's a pity you ain't a hero, John."

"Yes," said Mr. Blundell; "then, if I was, I expect she'd like something
else."

The other shook his head. "If you could only do something daring," he
murmured; "half-kill some-body, or save somebody's life, and let her see
you do it. Couldn't you dive off the quay and save some-body's life from
drowning?"

"Yes, I could," said Blundell, "if somebody would only tumble in."

"You might pretend that you thought you saw somebody drowning," suggested
Mr. Turnbull.

"And be laughed at," said Mr. Blundell, who knew his Venia by heart.

"You always seem to be able to think of objections," complained Mr.
Turnbull; "I've noticed that in you before."

"I'd go in fast enough if there was anybody there," said Blundell. "I'm
not much of a swimmer, but--"

"All the better," interrupted the other; "that would make it all the more