"What are you doing here?"

"I'm going up to town on business."

"Indeed! So you capitulate without a struggle?"

"No, I don't," replied Maxwell, flushing at the cold contempt expressed in her tone. "I am going to see my employers about this Buenos Ayres business which I put off till the end of the year. If I can manage it I'll start for South America next month."

"Alone?"

"Not if I can help it. On my return I'll try and persuade Kaituna to accompany me."

"And disobey her father?"

"There's no help for it," replied Archie, with a groan. "We love one another very dearly, and I don't see why our lives should be spoilt at the caprice of a selfish old man."

"What does your friend Mr. Clendon say?"

"He is entirely on my side."