"Mrs. Arnot, there is no time for remonstrance, and it is useless. _I am going_, and no one shall prevent me." Then he added, in tones and with a look of affection which she never forgot, "Deeply as I regret this sad emergency, I would not, for ten times the value of my life, lose the opportunity it gives me. I can now show you a small part of my gratitude by serving those you love. Besides, as you say, that telegram is such a pathetic cry of distress that, were you all strangers, I would obey its unconscious command. But haste, the card!" "Egbert, you are excited; you do not realize what you are saying!" cried the agitated lady. He looked at her steadily for a moment, and then said, in a tone so quiet and firm that it ended all remonstrance, "I realize fully what I am doing, and it is my right to decide upon my own action. To you, at least, I never broke my word, and I assure you that I will go. Miss Romeyn, will you oblige me by instantly writing that card? Your aunt is not able to write it." His manner was so authoritative that Laura wrote with a trembling hand: "The bearer is a very dear friend of aunt's. How brave and noble a man he is you can learn from the fact that he comes to your aid now. In deepest sympathy and love, "LAURA." "Good-by, my dear, kind friend," said Haldane cheerily to Mrs. Arnot while Laura was writing; "you overrate the danger. I feel that I shall return again, and if I do not, there are many worse evils than dying." "Your mother," said Mrs. Arnot, with a low sob. "I shall write to her a long letter on the way and explain everything." "She will feel that it never can be explained." "I cannot help it," replied the young man resolutely; "I know that I am doing right, or my conscience is of no use to me whatever." Mrs. Arnot put her arms around his neck as if she were his mother, and said in low, broken tones: "God bless you, and go with you, my true knight; nay, let me call you my own dear son this once. I will thank you in heaven for all this, if not here," and then she kissed him again and again. "You have now repaid me a thousand-fold," he faltered, and then broke away. "Mr. Haldane," said Laura tearfully, as he turned to her, "Cousin Amy and I have been the closest friends from childhood, and I cannot tell you how deeply I appreciate your going to her aid. I could not expect a brother to take such a risk." Haldane felt that his present chance to look into Laura's face might be his last, and again, before he was aware, he let his eyes reveal all his heart. She saw as if written in them, "A brother might not be willing to take the risk, but I am." "Do I then render you a special service?" he asked, in a low tone. "You could not render me a greater one."