And she waltzed down the verandah as she went.
"What a girl!" said Mifanwy.
Valmai smiled pensively. The word "Australia" had wakened sad memories, which had to be controlled and driven back at once.
"Let us go in; it is getting late for you," she said.
And they passed through a French window into the unlighted drawing-room.
The next evening Colonel Meredith returned, and, as Gwen had foretold, brought with him the expected visitor. The girl ran excitedly into Valmai's room.
"He is awfully handsome, dear. I have just taken a peep at him through the hall window as he alighted. He'll be seated opposite to you at dinner, but next to me, and I mean to make the best of my opportunity. You'll see how charming I can be in spite of my plain face."
And off she went, singing as usual, to return in another moment and ask:
"What dress are you going to wear, Beauty? That soft white cashmere? Oh, you look sweet in that, but I bet you a button that I'll cut you out to-night."
As Valmai sat down at the dinner-table she was conscious that the stranger sat opposite to her, and, looking across at him, met the eyes of Cardo Wynne!