“Did she remember, then?”

“Yes.  It all came back to her.”

“What effect did it have?  Was she—­is she very badly upset?” The sharp falter in the words betrayed more than the speaker knew.

Nick turned away from him, grinding his heel into the turf.  “No.  She took it remarkably quietly on the whole—­seemed relieved to know the truth.”

“And Max—­did she mention him?”

“Yes.  She seemed glad to know that he was not responsible, but rather hurt that he had thought it necessary to concoct a lie for her benefit.”

“Exactly what I should have felt myself,” said Noel.  He paused a moment; then:  “It was decent of you to let me into that secret,” he observed.

“Oh, that was Sir Kersley’s doing.”  Nick still spoke with his back half-turned.  “He tackled me on the subject, said you ought to know, but that Max was averse to it.  Then I told him why.  It seems that he hadn’t the vaguest notion till then as to why the engagement was broken off.”

Noel nodded.  “Just like Max!  He’s a bit too clever sometimes.  Well, what did he say when he knew?”

“He said that if Max wouldn’t take the responsibility of setting matters right, he would.  And he advised me to tell you everything straight away; which I did,” said Nick, “at peril of my life.  I don’t know how Max will take it, but it will doubtless be on my devoted head that his wrath will descend.”

“You’ll survive that,” said Noel.  “But look here!  Tell me more about Olga!  Wasn’t she horribly shocked—­just at first?”

“It was touch and go,” said Nick.  “I followed Sir Kersley’s advice throughout.  He didn’t want me to tell her outright, and I didn’t.  The whole thing came to her gradually.  Yes, it was a bit of a strain to begin with.  But she has come through it all right.  Give her time to settle, and I don’t think she will be any the worse.”

“I see,” said Noel.  He relaxed very suddenly, and passed a boyishly familiar arm around Nick’s shoulders.  “Well, that cooks my goose, quite effectually, doesn’t it?  Lucky it’s come to me gradually too.  I shouldn’t have relished it all in a lump.  The only person who is going to have a shock over this little business is Max.  And you’ll admit he deserves one.”

“What are you going to do?” asked Nick.

“Do?  Send him a wire of course.”

“Who?  Max?”

“Yes, Max.  And I shall say, ‘Come at once.  Urgent.  Noel.’  That’ll fetch him,” said Noel with a twinkle.  “He’s making a speciality of me just now.  He ought to be here before eight.”

“And what about Olga?”

“Leave Olga to me!” said Noel.

Nick glanced up at him, and abruptly did so.  “You’re a sportsman, my son,” he observed affectionately.  “But to return to Max, doesn’t it occur to you that it may not be precisely convenient for him to come posting down here at a moment’s notice?  He’s an important man, remember.”