He bad but poor sport that day; but he did not trouble himself much about catching fish when he had such infinitely more important business to think about. The afternoon was very warm, and by-aud by the drowsy hum of insect life and the never-ceasing song of the restless river lulled him into a tranquil slumber —a slumber dreamless and entirely resentful. His head was pillowed on his arm, and his handsome sun-tanned face was of that type which looks best in repose. Nature had bestowed upon Val St. Lawrence some very good gifts, thought some one who chanced to come that way, and, oddly enough, to wend her steps towards the very spot where Val lay asleep. This 'some one ' was Miss Kendal —Sylvia—in a white gown, with book in hand, and a little bunch of blue forget-me-nots, which she had gathered as she came along, fastened in the soft folds of her Indian muslin bodice. She gave a little start when she saw the sleeper, and a faint flush rose to her pale face, but she did not s f eal away. No, she stood there, looking down upon the unconscious young man, ' of a beauty like the Greek ideal,' with a grave, scrutinising gaze that would have sorely puzzled Val had he seen it. It is wrong, wicked. He may hate me for it,' she said, speaking half aloud. ' I will, I must do it.' Then suddenly Val stirred, and opened his eyes. Chaptbe V. ' You've caught me napping,' said the young man, laughing and yawning. ' How did you come here ? And how long have you been here ?'—rising. ' I came here purely by chance, and I have been here about two minutes,' answered Mies Kendal. * Don't let me disturb you, Mr St. Lawrence. You can go to sleep again if you like; I have She to keep me company.' • Wouldn't you prefer * he ' ? ' he queried audaciously. •If *he ' is better company than She, most certainly.' • That's unkind, Miss Kendal. Never mind, I'll forgive you. Sit down, if you are not afraid of spoiling that pretty dress, and I'll do my best to —amuse you., The time had come for him to put his fate to the touch. 