Merriton laughed, and at the sound, 'Toinette, who had sat perfectly
still during the discussion of the mystery, gave a little cry of alarm
and covered her ears with her hands.

"I beg of you," she broke out excitedly, "please, please do not talk
about it! The whole affair frightens me! Uncle will laugh I know, but--I
am terrified of those little flames, Sir Nigel, more terrified than I can
say! If you speak of them any more, I must go--really! Please, _please_
don't dream of trying to find out what they are, Sir Nigel! It--it would
upset me very much indeed if you attempted so foolish a thing!"

Merriton's first sensation at hearing this was pleasure that he was
capable of upsetting her over his own personal welfare. Then the
something sinister about the whole story, which seemed to affect every
one with whom he came into touch, swept over him. A number of otherwise
rational human beings scared out of their wits over some mysterious
flames on the edge of the Fens at night time, seemed, in the face of this
glorious summer's afternoon, to be little short of ridiculous. He tried
to throw the idea off but could not. 'Toinette's pale face kept coming
before him; the sudden dropping of her spoon struck an unpleasant chord
in his memory. Brellier's attitude merely added fuel to the fire and soon
they rose to go, Merriton following them to the door.

"Don't forget, then, Miss Brellier, that you are booked to me for a ride
on Thursday," he said, laughingly.

She nodded to him and gave his hand a little squeeze at parting.

"I shall not forget, Sir Nigel. But--you will promise me," her voice