"Yes. I have not seen father to-day, but this letter from Mrs. St. Clair arrived by the morning mail. Mr. Herriott, I am the most miserable woman God ever made, and I want to turn to you now, but I scarcely know just how to do so. Once--that night in Washington--you said you would never change, that you would always love me; but I have no right to expect after years of absence--" She paused and the frozen face crimsoned. He caught his breath and leaned toward her. "I love you now as I loved you then. My heart has always belonged to you. If you doubt it, you wrong me." "Then, Mr. Noel, do not leave me. If you go away now you will break my heart." He rose and looked down at her, wondering at the desperate appeal in her eyes. "I do not understand, because I long ago ceased to hope I could ever be essential to your happiness. I am obliged to leave here to-night; but if there is any service I can render before I sail from Sydney, on the 15th, I am sure you know how very gladly I should help you. If, as you say, you wish to turn to me, I beg that you will do so at once. Why are you miserable?" She covered her face with her hands. "If you love me, will you abandon this expedition for my sake?" "I cannot now, it is too late. My word is pledged by cable, and the vessel is on the Atlantic. Eglah, I dare not hope that you have learned to care; I will not delude myself. Don't torture me by vague suggestions that half madden me." He sat down beside her, painfully perplexed. Her hands fell into her lap, clutched each other, and when she spoke it was in a shuddering, broken whisper. "Then, if you must go, take me with you till you sail. We can be married to-night." For fully a moment his eyes, amazed, incredulous, searched hers; then he surrendered himself to a measureless exultation. "My darling--my own proud darling!" He drew her close, and she felt him tremble as she hid her face against his shoulder--felt his lips on her neck, on her bare, quivering hand that he held pressed to his cheek. "I know it is selfish to permit you to bind yourself to me on the eve of a perilous journey from which I may not return, but after so many long, hopeless years the temptation is more than I can resist. I can have you, my darling, for only a few short days, but the happiness of a lifetime shall glorify them. To-night I must go to Ohio, to close up some business with my ward, Duncan Keith; then on to Greyledge for two days before starting for Cape Breton. Why did you not give me this precious intimation earlier? You have always known what you are to me. Was it the news in Mrs. St. Clair's letter regarding my departure that pleaded for me in your proud, stubborn heart?" "I never realized until to-day how much I need you. Mr. Noel, this has come upon me so suddenly I am stunned. Give me a little time--till my mind clears. Let us see father at once; there are so many things to be arranged if--if----"