"Not now. Perhaps later I may impart it," said Helen.

"It would be a great kindness," said Brown humbly, "if you could let
me have it soon."

"Nature abhors a vacuum, you know," put in Lloyd.

At this point the bell rang and The Don came in. He was a young man
of striking appearance, handsome, dark, well set up, with the eyes
of his Spanish mother, but with the head and jaw of his Scotch sea-
captain father. With all his ease of manner there was a shy, proud
reserve about him, and a kind of grand air that set him apart from
any company in which he might appear.

After saluting the young ladies with a somewhat formal bow, he
announced, "I want you, Brown."

"Oh, sit down," cried Betty. "Sit down, Mr. Balfour. We are not
going to allow you to carry off our visitor in this abrupt manner."

"Yes, take yourself off," cried Brown. "You see I can't be spared."

"Please sit down," urged Helen. "We want to ask you about the
match."

"I really cannot," replied The Don. "I am on duty, you see."

"On duty?"