whispered Stephen in reply. ‘We must love each other very much, you and I!’

When the two ladies had sat down, Stephen holding Pearl in her lap, Mrs. Stonehouse said:

‘I suppose you have wondered, Lady de Lannoy, what has brought us here?’

‘Indeed I was very much interested.’

‘Then I had better tell you all from the beginning so that you may understand.’ She proceeded to give the details of the meeting with Mr. Robinson on the Scoriac. Of how Pearl took to him and insisted on making him her special friend; of the terrible incident of her being swept overboard, and of the gallant rescue. Mrs. Stonehouse was much moved as she spoke. All that fearful time, of which the minutes