which they were swept into and out of sight, in the triumphant might of the swollen river, had a horrible fascination for the lookers-on. What might not meet their eye next? They bent over the parapet and looked down; Cartouche sprang upon it and whined uneasily. "Some houses must have been washed away, fry the last thing was a chair," said Miss Penington. "I can't stand this," said Jack, straightening himself. "Whatever came down, we couldn't possibly do any good here. I shall go further down the river. There are one or two places where if anything living were swept, it might be caught and held. At any rate it won't look quite so desperate as it does from the bridge. Leyton, you will see them home." "No, no," said Phillis with great eagerness. "That is quite impossible. Do you suppose that we should let you go alone? Of course we will all go. I shall be giddy if I look at this much longer." And though she was generally the most considerate of companions, she did not once ask Miss Penington her wishes in the matter. Captain Leyton looked doubtful. "I don't know what sort of a path there may be," he said. "But I do," said Jack with a happy smile. "If you'll really come, I can take you quite safely; the rain has stopped. Will you and Miss Penington go in front and I'll direct you." "I should have thought the shortest plan would have been for you to go in front yourself," said Captain Leyton; but he fell into Jack's arrangement, being the most good-natured of men. "You have thick shoes, I hope?" said Jack to Phillis, as they followed. "Look!" And she held up a pretty foot well protected. Phillis's spirits were rising every moment, in spite of the wild scene all about them. The path was very wet and rough; once or twice he put out his hand to help her. Perhaps the little action brought back to her mind another rough road when he had helped, not her, but Bice, for she said suddenly, "I want to ask you a question; but you needn't answer it unless you like." "That is very considerate," said he smiling. "Do you know the end of Mrs Masters's debts?" "Yes, I do. That is, I know they've been paid. Do you expect this to be the end?" "Oh, well, for the present. But who paid them?" He hesitated. "I don't believe it's a secret," he said presently, "but of course it's not a thing to be talked about." Then he suddenly turned and looked down into her face. "Did you really suppose it was I?" "Why not?" she persisted. "Why not you as well as another?" "I think I shall avail myself of your means of escape, and refuse to answer the question," said Jack with gravity. "I can't afford to lose my one opportunity of being considered a _preux chevalier_." "But, Jack!" "But, Phillis!" "Was it really not you?"