As they parted under a long arcade, where his way led to the tower
room for a change into riding clothes, she stopped suddenly and
called:

"Oh, Mr. Graham."

He turned obediently.

"You really are not compelled to fall in love with Paula, you know. It
was just my way of putting it."

"I shall be very, very careful," he said solemnly, although there was
a twinkle in his eye as he concluded.

Nevertheless, as he went on to his room, he could not but admit to
himself that the Paula Forrest charm, or the far fairy tentacles of
it, had already reached him and were wrapping around him. He knew,
right there, that he would prefer the engagement to ride to have been
with her than with his old-time friend, Dick.

As he emerged from the house to the long hitching-rails under the
ancient oaks, he looked eagerly for his hostess. Only Dick was there,
and the stable-man, although the many saddled horses that stamped in
the shade promised possibilities. But Dick and he rode away alone.
Dick pointed out her horse, an alert bay thoroughbred, stallion at
that, under a small Australian saddle with steel stirrups, and double-
reined and single-bitted.

"I don't know her plans," he said. "She hasn't shown up yet, but at