"Lucky man!" I cried, and wrung his hand warmly. "The very best of good
wishes, old chap. I am delighted!"
"So am I!" replied Lorian. "But come and see the print."
We went into the house together; and Sybil blushed more furiously than
ever when I told her how I envied Lorian--and added that he deserved the
most beautiful girl in England, and had won her.
Lorian had a very clear print of the photograph pinned up to dry on the
side of his window.
"We shall be busy to-night!" he said mysteriously.
He had planned to preserve his great secret until dinner-time; but, of
course, it came out whilst we sat over tea on the balcony. The Colonel
was unfeignedly delighted, and there is nothing secretive about Colonel
Reynor. Consequently, five minutes after he had been informed how
matters were between his daughter and Lorian, all the house knew.
I studied the face of Hulme, to see how he would take the news. But
he retained a perfect mastery of himself, though his large dark eyes
gleamed at discord with the smile which he wore.
Our photographic experiments were forgotten; and throughout dinner,
whereat Sybil looked exquisitely lovely and very shy, and Lorian
preserved an unruffled countenance, other topics ruled.
It was late before we found ourselves alone in Lorian's room, with the
print spread upon the table beneath the light of the shaded lamp.
We bent over it.
"Now," said Lorian, "I assume that this is some kind of cipher!"