"Oh, I can manage, papa," she cried, and the next moment she was by his side. Looking back, "Thank you, Mr Van Heldre," she said. "Eh! All right, my child. Now, Maddy. Steady, my lads. Mind that ledge; don't get her under there. Bravo! that's right. Now, my girl. Well done!" Madelaine leaped to his side, and was in turn assisted to the top, she accepting the tall gentleman's help, while Uncle Luke, with his hands resting on his rod, which he held with the butt on the rock, stood grimly looking down at the boat. "I think I'll land here," said Leslie. "You don't want my help with the boat." "Oh, no; we can manage," said Harry sourly; and Leslie gave up his oar and leaped on to the rock as the boat was again backed in. "That chap looks quite green," said Uncle Luke with a sneering laugh. "Our London friend been poorly, Louie?" Before she could answer the tall gentleman cried to those in the boat-- "Don't be long, my boy. Tea will be waiting." "All right, dad. Lay hold of this oar, Vic, and let's get her moored." "Why, you're wet, Mr Leslie," said the tall gentleman, shaking hands. "Only sea-water, sir. It's nothing." "But," said the former speaker, looking quickly from one to the other, and his handsome, thoughtful face seemed troubled, "has there been anything wrong?" "Harry fell in," said Louise, speaking rather quickly and excitedly; "and Mr Leslie--" "Ah!" ejaculated the tall gentleman excitedly. "It was nothing, sir," said Leslie hastily. "He swam in among the rocks--into a cave, and he was a long time gone, and I went after him; that's all." "But, my dear boy, you must make haste and change your things." "I shall not hurt, Mr Vine." "And--and--look here. Make haste and come on then to us. There will be a meal ready. It's Harry's last day at home." "Oh, thank you, Mr Vine; I don't think I'll come to-night." "But you have been one of the party so far, and I should--Louie, my dear--" "We shall be very glad if you will come, Mr Leslie," said Louise, in response to her father's hesitating words and look, and there was a calm, ingenuous invitation in her words that made the young man's heart throb. "I, too, shall be very glad," he said quietly. "That's right, that's right," said Mr Vine, laying one of his long thin white hands on the young man's arm; and then changing its position, so that he could take hold of one of the buttons on his breast. Then turning quickly: "Madelaine's coming, of course." "Louie says so," said the girl quietly. "To be sure; that's right, my dear; that's right," said the old man, beaming upon her as he took one of her hands to hold and pat it in his. "You'll come too, Van?" "I? No, no. I've some bills of lading to look over." "Yah!" ejaculated Uncle Luke with a snarl. "Yes; bills of lading, you idle old cynic. I can't spend my time fishing." "Pity you can't," said Uncle Luke. "Money, money, always money."