Morris looked round the comfortable sitting-room with its recessed Tudor windows, its tall bookcases and open hearth, where burned a bright fire of old ship’s timbers supported on steel dogs, and thought to himself that he was fortunate to be there. Then the door opened, he heard the housemaid’s voice say, “This way please, Miss,” and Stella came in. She wore a plain white dress that seemed to fit her very well, though where she got it from he never discovered, and her luxuriant hair was twisted up into a simple knot. On the bosom of her dress was fixed a spray of brilliant ampelopsis leaves; it was her only ornament, but none could have been more striking. For the rest, although she limped and still looked dark and weary about the eyes, to all appearances she was not much the worse for their terrible adventure. Morris glanced at her. Could this dignified and lovely young lady be that red-cloaked, loose-haired Valkyrie whom he had seen singing at daybreak upon the prow of the sinking ship, or the piteous bedraggled person whom he had supported from the altar in the Dead Church? She guessed his thought—from the beginning Stella had this curious power of discovering his mind—and said with a smile: “Fine feathers make fine birds, and even Cleopatra would have looked dreadful after a November night in an open boat.” “Have you recovered?” he asked. “Yes, Mr. Monk; that is, I don’t think I am going to have inflammation of the lungs or anything horrid of the sort. The remedies and that walk stopped it. But my feet are peeling from being soaked so long in salt water, and my hands are not much better. See,” and she held them towards him. Then dinner was announced, and for the second time that day they walked arm-in-arm. “It seems a little strange, doesn’t it?” suggested Morris as he surveyed the great refectory in which they two, seated at the central table, looked so lone and small. “Yes,” she answered; “but so it should, anything quite usual would have been out of place to-day.” Then he asked her how her father was going on, and heard what he had already learned from the doctor, that he was doing as well as could be expected. “By the way, Mr. Monk,” she added; “if you can spare a few minutes after dinner, and are not too tired, he would so much like to see you.” “Of course,” answered Morris a little nervously, for he scented a display of fervent gratitude.