Now I shall ask you a favour," he declared, rising to his feet.

"You will walk with me through the flower gardens yonder.

If there is one thing I miss in this country so much that the want of it makes me sometimes a little homesick," he went on, as they moved away together, "it is the perfume of the flowers in the morning and at night from the gardens of my summer palace.

Next time you honour me with an hour or so of your time, I shall ask you to let me bring some pictures of my favourite home in China." Maggie walked dutifully by his side, answering his frequent questions about flowers and shrubs, listening while he told her about his white peacocks and the tame birds which were his own pets.

Suddenly she broke into a fit of laughter.