She suddenly remembered why she had felt tongue-tied, and her face became suffused with crimson. Blanche, who was steadily regarding her, was much surprised by this evidence of emotion; but, although her curiosity was still further aroused, she had sufficient delicacy to restrain herself, and adroitly to change the subject of conversation. She began to speak about the departure of troops from the barracks, which were situated a couple of miles from the vicinity of her father’s house. This gave Lois an opportunity of recovering her composure, for which she felt grateful, although if Blanche had pressed her much further she would have confided to her the embarrassing circumstances to which Mr. Vere Gardiner’s will was likely to lead. As Miss Dormer chatted gaily, heavy splashes of rain came suddenly pattering through the clustering leaves, and a vivid flash of lightning, followed almost instantaneously by a crashing peal of thunder, startled the girls, and made them hurriedly retreat into the pretty pavilion. The day had changed as if by magic. The sky was overcast with driving clouds like squadrons of artillery, the sun had disappeared, the whole aspect of the bright garden and the smiling lake had altered as if by the wave of the wand of some malicious fairy. A summer storm had burst over the heads of these timid girls, and they looked at each other in dismay. It was a situation likely to become extremely unpleasant. No one knew that they were here. Even if their screams could be heard, it would be difficult for any one to reach the place, as the tiny wherry was drifting about, out of reach. The waters of the lake began to foam and lash with frenzy. Every instant the storm increased in fury. The girls clung to one another in affright, unable to help shrieking when a blue-forked flame encircled them, or a prolonged roar, as of besieging artillery, seemed to rend the heavens asunder. Each moment it seemed as if they must be slain in that fervent embrace. A flash of lightning, more piercing than any that had preceded it, swept in a jagged curve over the pavilion, and a peal of thunder shook the fragile building to its foundations. Terrified almost beyond expression, Lois clung more closely to Blanche, and then fell back into her arms in a dead swoon. Before Blanche could collect her thoughts, herself terror-stricken almost to the verge of insanity, a panel, which had looked as if merely a portion of the highly finished decorations of the airy walls, slid back, and a gentleman suddenly faced the young girl, as she placed Lois in a chair. This gentleman was Paul Desfrayne. It would be difficult to say which felt or mutely expressed the most surprise, Miss Dormer or the stranger. They gazed at one another in amazement for a moment or two, and then the young man, lifting his cap with mechanical politeness, advanced.