"Now, I wonder who told you that story!" Mr Muir cried. "I knew a fellow who had exactly the same experience. Curiously enough, he came home in the ship with me. We only landed a week ago. Do you mind telling the name of your informant?" "No, of course not. Why should I? It was one of my school-mistresses-- Miss Margaret Chilton. She and her eldest sister keep the school to which we all go--Bertha, and Lois, and I. We were talking of disappointments one day, and she told me this story as an illustration." Mr Muir threw back his head, and began to laugh in a soft, amused fashion, most mystifying to the hearer. "Talk of coincidences!" he cried. "Talk of coincidences! Why, Miss Mildred, it is the very man of whom I was speaking. Isn't that a curious thing? I knew him intimately, and he has told me stories too-- about Miss Margaret Chilton among other people. And she is your school-mistress? Tell me now, what is she like? I have heard so much about her that I am interested to hear." "She is a darling!" "Er--so I was given to understand!" said Mr Muir drily. "And as to appearance? Dark or fair, tall or short, plain or good-looking?" Mildred reflected. "She has brown eyes," she said slowly. "Oh, you may think that is not a good description, but it is; because when you see Mardie's eyes, you don't notice anything else. They are so clear, and sweet, and lovely, and they look straight at you, as if they could see through and through, but so gently and kindly that you don't mind it a bit." Mildred opened her own eyes at her companion as she spoke, with a comical imitation of Miss Margaret's expression, which made him laugh in spite of himself. "I see! I see! Well, I shouldn't wonder if I were to have the pleasure of meeting Miss Chilton one of these fine days. If I do, I am sure I shall recognise her by the description." At this point the coach drew up before the railway station, and the party separated to return to their various homes. Mr Muir whispered a word or two in his wife's ear, and they came together to the window of the carriage in which the girls were seated, to wish them a last farewell. "_Au revoir_, Miss Mildred!" he cried, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "I am not going to say good-bye, for I expect to meet you again, on a still more interesting occasion." "I haven't the least idea what you mean, but I hope we shall!" returned Mildred. CHAPTER TWELVE. A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.