"It was only a dreadful-looking dog. What are you doing up there?"

"I was looking at the stars. Aren't they wonderful to-night?"

There was in his voice a sound of warm yet almost childlike enthusiasm,
with which she was becoming very familiar.

"Yes, marvellous. Oh, there's the dog again! Sh--sh--sh!"

"I'll come down and drive it away."

In a moment he was with her.

"Where is the little beast?"

"It's gone again. I frightened it. Oh, you've brought me a cloak, you
thoughtful person."

She turned for him to put it round her, and as he began to do so, as he
touched her arms and shoulders, his eyes shone and his brown cheeks
slightly reddened. Then his expression changed; he seemed to repress, to
beat back something; he drew her down into a chair, and quietly sat
down by her. The Nubian came with coffee, and went softly away, smiling.

Mrs. Armine poured out the coffee, and Nigel lit his cigar.

"Turkish coffee for my lord and master!" she said, pushing a cup towards
him over the little table. "I think I must learn how to make it."