for his watch. It was nine o'clock. Cardigan was moving about
uneasily, arranging the things on the table and adjusting the
shade at the window. For a few moments, with his back to Kent, he
stood without moving. Then he turned, and said:

"Which will you have, Kent--a wash-up and breakfast, or a
visitor?"

"I am not hungry, and I don't feel like soap and water just now.
Who's the visitor? Father Layonne or--Kedsty?"

"Neither. It's a lady."

"Then I'd better have the soap and water! Do you mind telling me
who it is?"

Cardigan shook his head. "I don't know. I've never seen her
before. She came this morning while I was still in pajamas, and
has been waiting ever since. I told her to come back again, but
she insisted that she would remain until you were awake. She has
been very patient for two hours."

A thrill which he made no effort to conceal leaped through Kent.
"Is she a young woman?" he demanded eagerly. "Wonderful black
hair, blue eyes, wears high-heeled shoes just about half as big as
your hand--and very beautiful?"

"All of that," nodded Cardigan. "I even noticed the shoes, Jimmy.
A very beautiful young woman!"