Her tale was so plausible that no one doubted it, for who could believe that Amber cherished a secret hatred for her sick cousin and had tortured her almost to madness, then left her to suffer alone? So the mystery of Violet’s strange disappearance began to deepen, and Judge Camden was sending servants in all directions to search for her, when Cecil Grant came slowly up the moonlighted path across the lawn, with the missing girl in his arms. They ran to meet him with cries of joy; even the stern old judge was excited; only Amber held back, filled with terrible dismay at this unlooked-for _contretemps_. She had believed that Cecil Grant was many miles away from Golden Willows. Why had he returned, and what was he doing here, with Violet clasped in his arms so fondly that it made her heart throb with a cruel, jealous pain. The young man paused before Judge Camden, and said, coldly: “Sir, I have the pleasure of restoring to you your granddaughter, whom I have just saved from throwing herself into the river.” A confused murmur of surprise from all made him raise his voice, as he continued, with indignant emphasis: “No sick person should be left alone as Violet was, for there is no telling what a fever-distraught brain may rashly prompt an invalid to do; and, sir, if you loved this dear girl as entirely as I do, you would guard her more carefully.” Judge Camden was so dazed that he made no move to take Violet from Cecil’s arms; he could only stare at him in boundless amazement. Amber was almost choking with rage. “So the girl was about to drown herself? I wish she had succeeded, I do, from my heart,” she thought, bitterly. But assuming a charming smile, she advanced into the group and said, gently: “Dear Cecil, do not blame poor grandpapa, for, really, I am the only one in fault. I was staying with Violet while Mrs. Shirley went to take a nap, and the poor feverish girl asked me for a drink of ice-water. I went down the hall to get it, and while I was out she stole away. That is all.” She told the tale complacently, not dreaming that the sick girl had betrayed her; but the next moment she shrank and trembled, for Cecil turned on her with scathing reproaches. “No, that is not all, Miss Laurens; for, before you left poor Violet, you told her some cruel falsehoods--that I was false to my love for her, and had offered my heart to you. It was that which drove my poor girl frantic, and sent her to end her sweet life in the river. But, thank Heaven, I was at hand and snatched her back, even as she made the fatal leap. I will never forgive you, Miss Laurens, for your wickedness.” She cowered beneath his lightning glance of scorn, and Judge Camden, beginning to recover his wits, advanced and took Violet, saying, with cool courtesy: “I am deeply grateful to you for saving Violet’s life, and trust I may be able to repay the debt some future day.” To his wrath and amazement, Cecil replied, with a manly, respectful air: