"And great danger, doctor?" "Yes," he said, after a pause, "and great danger. But, please God, my child, we will save his life. He is a fine, strong, healthy man. There: I can say no more." "Thank you," said Madelaine calmly, and she quietly left the room. "Any one might think that she did not feel it," said the doctor slowly; "but I know better than that. It's wonderful what a woman will suffer without making a sign. I cannot telegraph till eight o'clock, but I may as well write my message," he muttered, as he went down-stairs. "Humph! the news is spreading. Somebody come." Volume 2, Chapter II. HARRY LOOKS THE FACT IN THE FACE. Harry Vine checked his headlong pace as soon as he was out of the lane, and walked swiftly along by the harbour till he reached the sea. Here, in the shelter of a rock, he stooped down and lit a cigar, before throwing himself on a patch of shingle, and holding his temples with his hands, as he tried to quell the tumult in his brain and to think calmly. But it was in vain. He felt half mad, and as if the best way out of his difficulty was to go and leap into the sea. "Curse Pradelle!" he groaned. "I wish I had never seen him--coward, thief, cheat! Oh, what am I talking about? Why didn't I face it, and tell Van Heldre the honest truth? I was innocent. No, no: I was as bad as Pradelle, and he shall disgorge. Every penny shall go back. If he says no, come what may, I'll out with the whole truth." "I couldn't help it," he groaned after a pause. "I'd give anything to have frankly told the truth." He walked quickly home, and assuming a calmness he did not feel, entered the drawing-room, where Louise was seated reading. "Your company gone?" he said roughly. "Yes, dear. Papa has walked home with Madelaine." Harry turned sharply round, for he mentally pictured in one agonising thought the scene at Van Heldre's home. "Is anything the matter?" asked Louise. "Matter? No. It's very dark outside, and the light makes one's eyes ache. Seen Pradelle?" "No, dear," said Louise gravely. "I thought he went out with you." "Yes, of course, but he likes to go wandering about the town. I wanted a quiet smoke by the waterside. I'm tired. I think I shall go up to bed." "Do, dear. I'll wait till papa comes." "Good-night." "Good-night, Harry dear," she said, rising, and, putting her arms round his neck, she laid her cheek to his. "Good-night, dear. Harry darling, don't worry about the work. Do it like a brave, true man; it will make father so happy." There was a sudden catching sob in Harry Vine's throat, as, like a flash, the memory of old happy boy and girl days came back. He caught his sister to his breast, and held her tightly there as he kissed her passionately again and again. "My darling brother!" cried Louise as she tightened her grasp about his neck. "And you will try for all our sakes?" "Yes, yes," he said in a hoarse whisper.