“Don’t forget for a moment,” said Enoch quickly, “that we have two whole days after to-day.”

“I don’t,” Diana smiled a little uncertainly.  “Enoch, I wonder if you know how well you look!  You are so tanned and so clear-eyed!  I’m going to be jealous of the women at every dinner party I imagine you attending!”

Enoch laughed.  “Diana, my reputation as a woman hater is going to be increased every year.  See if it’s not!”

The telephone rang and Diana answered the call.

“Yes!  Yes, Jonas is here, Fred Jonas—­I’ll take the message.”  There was a pause, then Diana said steadily, “See if I repeat correctly.  Tell the Boss the President wishes him to take first train East, making all possible speed.  Wire at once date of arrival.  Signed Abbott.”

Diana hung up the receiver and turned to Enoch, who had risen and was standing beside her.

“Orders, eh, Enoch?” she said, trying to smile with white lips.

Enoch did not answer.  He stood staring at the girl’s quivering mouth, while his own lips stiffened.  Then he said quietly:  “Will you tell me where I can find Jonas, Diana?”

“He’s in the kitchen with Na-che.  I’ll go bring him in.”

“No, stay here, Diana, sweetheart.  Your face tells too much.  I’ll be back in a moment.”

Jonas looked up from the potatoes he was peeling, as Enoch came into the kitchen.  “Jonas, I’ve just had a reply from the wire I sent Abbott this morning.  The President wants me at once.  Will you go up to the hotel and arrange for transportation out of here tonight?  Remember, I don’t want it known who I am.”

“Yes, Mr. Secretary!” exclaimed Jonas.  Hastily wiping his hands, he murmured to Na-che, as Enoch turned away:  “No trip down Bright Angel, Na-che.  Ain’t it a shame to think that love ring—­” But Enoch heard no more.

Diana stood before the fire in the gathering twilight.  “Is there anything Dad or I can do to facilitate your start, Enoch?”

“Nothing, Diana.  Jonas is a past master in this sort of thing, and he prefers to do it all himself.  You and I have only to think of each other until I have to leave.”

He took Diana’s face between his hands and gazed at it hungrily.  “How beautiful, how beautiful you are!” he said, his rich voice dying in a sigh.

“Don’t sigh, Enoch!” exclaimed Diana.  “We must not make this last moment sad.  You are going back into the arena, fit for the fight.  That makes me very, very glad.  And while you have told me nothing as to your intentions concerning Brown, I know that your decision, when it comes, will be right.”

“I don’t know what that decision will be, Diana.  I have given my whole mind to you for many days.  But I shall do nothing rash, nor without long thought.  My dearest, I wish I could make you understand what you mean to me.  I had thought when we were in the Canyon to-morrow I could tell you something of my boyhood, so that you would understand me, and what you mean to me.  But all that must remain unsaid.  Perhaps it’s just as well.”