“Commodore Bruce knew me and loved me from my childhood up to the time I was about sixteen years of age. I have not seen him since. The trial that blighted my life has prevented me——But I cannot speak of that! He believes me dead! But for your sake, my darling, I will burst the bonds that hold me. I will break the silence of years. I will go to Commodore Bruce in person, and I know I have the talisman which shall bring him to favorable terms. Cheer up, Em.! All will be well.” CHAPTER XXVIII A VISIT TO THE BREEZES Sunrise will come next! The shadow of the night is passed away! BROWNING. “Yes,” said the Lady of Edengarden to herself on the morning after her eventful conversation with Em., and while she and her young companion sat together in the blue parlor, engaged with their embroidery—“yes, though I have never left this island except to leave the country, I will try to break the strong spell that has bound me, and to cast off the dark nightmare that has oppressed me for years, and, for the sake of this gentle child, and of one who bears the name and likeness of him I loved and lost, I will seek the presence of the man whom I most dreaded to meet in this world.” All who ever knew Emolyn Wyndeworth knew that she was sensitive, timid, and retiring in the extreme. To these weaknesses she owed all her misfortunes. To these she had so succumbed as to have died a moral and social death daily for the last seventeen years. It required, therefore, a heroic effort in her to form this resolution. It would require an almost superhuman one to carry it into effect. While she was still trying to “Screw ‘her’ courage to the sticking place” for an interview with Commodore Bruce, two cards were brought in by her page and placed in her hands. “‘Dr. Willet,’ ‘Lieutenant Bruce,’” she read aloud. Em. looked up suddenly, too much frightened to blush. She expected to see a frown of anger at this intrusion on the face of her who had worn nothing but smiles for her protégée. But, no! that very grave face had not the slightest trace of displeasure on it. “Where have you left these gentlemen?” she inquired of her page. “In the small white saloon, madam.” “I will see them there. Go and say so.” The page left the room and the lady turned to Emolyn, whose color was rolling over her face like rose-leaves before a breeze. “You are afraid I am not going to let you see your lover? Do not fear that, my child ; I shall send him in to you. I have something to say to Dr. Willet,” said the lady as she stooped and left a kiss on the brow of the girl and passed from the room. In the small white saloon—which was a sort of anteroom to the large white saloon—the hostess found Dr. Willet and Lieutenant Bruce. The former arose and advanced toward her with outstretched hands and deprecating smile, saying: