corridor, driving before him passengers of less weight and pertinacity, until finally he descended on to the platform itself. Norgate, who had followed meekly in his wake, stood

Never do I choose this route but I am visited

gate replied, "but his Flemish is

he harbour. There will be a delay of at least six hours-possibly more. I

!" Norgat

seem much

lly came this way becau

stay here fo

e, with precision, with punctuality. Now I shall be many hours behind my schedule. I shall be compelled to alter my appointments-I, who pride myself always upon altering nothing. But behold! One must ma

enforced wait a little wearily. He took a taxicab and drove as far as Knocke. Here he strolled across the links and threw himself down finally amongst a little wave of sandy hillocks close to the sea. The silence, and some remains of the sleepiness of the previous night, soon began to have their natural effect. He closed his eyes and began to doze. When he awoke, curiously enough, it was a familiar voice which first fell upon hi

Belgium is valuable to-day. Take my advice. Sell. There are so many places wh

all, is my country. My chateau and estates came to me by inheritance. Notwithstanding the fr

nce. You are able to see the truth. The days are coming when small states may exist no longer without the all-protecting arm of a more powerful country. I say

ut Hollan

of her days as an independent kingdom is almost reached. The Power which has absorbed the

" the other man interru

the fact that Belgium is

arate kingdom might ce

as been foreseen. Our n

d its honour to maintai

nd. What have we

e laws which direct the progress of nations. Treaties solemnly subscribed

ike a reflection upon the honour of your country. Do you mean to insinuate that she would

re and civilisation, might demand even such a sacrifice. Germany recognises, is profoundly imbued with the splendour of her own ideals, the matchlessn

silence. Then the t

gs. Your voice sounds in my ears like the voice of an ugly fate. I am, as you have often reminded me, half German, and I have shown my friendship for Germany many times. Unlike most of the aristocra

his opportunity of meeting you is too precious to be wasted. Com

not until their figures were almost specks in the distance that he rose cautiously to his feet. He made

*

e first person he saw as he handed over his hat to a waiter, was Selingman, spread out upon a cu

tart. We tear ourselves away from this wonderful atmosphere. In atmosphere,

vitation to be disregarded. On the ot

hundered ou

oin us. You are one of us. That you speak only English counts for nothing. Mademoiselle Alice here is America

Knocke but was conscious of Selingman's curiously inten

l further delayed, I had a bath. That was half an hour ago. I asked a man whom I met on the promenade where one might di

es not speak French," one of S

ken French all my life. Herr Selingman here has mis

mediately introduced h

ed her arm thro

emoiselle l'Américaine, perhaps because she is the friend of some one in whom you are interested. But for me, it is dull. Monsieur l'Anglais shall talk

uld have moved on with a little farewell nod

carrée," they both dec

He shall tell me his name, and we shall be very great friends. I am not interested in the things

ll means," Sel

e with me," Norgate insist

Selingman de

ademoiselle Henriette excla

elingman, let us make the best of it. We see him only because of a contretemps. I

hake of the h

he quay, and if you will, you shall wave your hands and wish us bon voyage, but London just now is triste. It is here you may live the life the bon Dieu sends, where the sun shines all

walked afterwards down t

gered behind

nce, and your steamer will not start before ten. We can walk slowly and listen to the m

vague. He was watching Selingman with his companion.

enquired. "I know him only

shrugged her little shoulders and looked with w

flying visits. Once Alice has been to see him in Berlin. He is, I believe, a very weal

emoisell

mewhat pointless reply.

his season with Mo

" Norgate aske

the friend of General le Foys, chief of the staff in Paris. He is a ve

Tell me, mademoiselle, what do you suppose those two are talking of now? See how

ised, "but who can tell? Besides, is it for us to waste our f

treaming curve of lights fla

knows," h

joy your Ostend to-day, my little ones,' he said, when he first met us this evening. '

arently finished his conversation with his companion. He hurried Norgate off, and

these few hours. I trust, that every time this steamer meets with a little acc

everywhere," Norgate obs

tted. "It chanced that they were bo

He felt that his comp

to find charming young ladies in

n smiled

hen I revisit that place, it loses its coldness. There is some one there to welcome me, some one who is glad to see me again. Look steadily in that direction, a few points to th

shook

tle time," he said. "It is too

e time? If we meet not at Dover, then in London, my young friend. London is the greatest city in the world, bu

," Norgate observed, as he set