"Oh, you can come if you like," I replied, grandly. I was accustomed to have a great deal of attention; indeed, I could not have received much more had I been a little princess. "One would think I was the most precious thing in the world." "Well, are you not?" he asked, gravely. "It depends what precious means," I replied, sapiently. "If it means very good, I am afraid I am not that—at least, not half so good as Cicely." "Who is Cicely?" "Cicely St. John; she is my cousin; she is altogether lovely," I cried, with enthusiasm, "and so is Uncle Paul; he is a missionary out here at Chen-si." "A missionary—and at Chen-si—then God help him!" He said the last under his breath, but I heard him. "Oh, Mr. Crawford," I cried, earnestly, for I love Uncle Paul dearly, "you do not think he is in danger?" "I should think he probably left, Miss Nina, before the troubles began, and you know," reassuringly, "’Ill news flies apace,’ so that, as you have heard nothing to the contrary, you may take it for granted he is all right." We had got to the end of our walk now, but he opened the gate for me, and still lingered. "I want to know that you are quite safe," he said, smiling. "You see what a gaoler I am. Ah, there is Mrs. Ross." I ran to her and kissed her joyfully. "Nina, darling, how delightful; come to spend a long day with me, I hope?" "I should like to," I replied, "if Mr. Crawford will let father know." "Your obedient slave, Miss Nina; I will be sure to acquaint the Colonel, and now I must be going." "Won’t you come in, Mr. Crawford?" said Mrs. Ross. "I fear I cannot," he replied. "I have to report myself at headquarters. I was on guard last night." "Any fresh news?" asked Mrs. Ross. "Nothing but the usual story of the last few days. They have been firing a lot more houses, and the visions and apparitions are as numerous as ever." "And the Red Hand?" asked Mrs. Ross, shuddering. "Oh, we have got quite accustomed to it by this time," he replied. He spoke lightly to reassure us, but it was easy to detect a vein of apprehensiveness behind his light tone. Mrs. Ross looked pensive, and this pensive look added to her beauty and made her entrancing. "Well, Nina," she said, when we were alone, "what would you like to do this morning?" "Anything you like, darling," I replied, eagerly. "I am so tired of doing nothing and sitting in all day. I know what I should like," I cried, excitedly; "I should like to go into the park."