She had lost the drift of the speech altogether, and was thinking dreamily of her approaching wedding, when a sudden silence, followed by a roar of applause, showed that the speech was at end; and a moment later the congressman-elect entered the room through one of the open windows. Norine glanced at him curiously, and then started upright, with her hands pressed over her heart. My God! Who could this be? Could the dead return to life? Her sudden movement attracted attention, and drew Elwell’s eyes to hers, and he staggered back against the wall, pale with fright, and gasped: “Norine!” That was enough. It was he, and alive. She stretched out her arms to him, and cried: “Clinton! Oh, my God, Clinton!” and sank down upon the floor insensible. “Who was she? What did it all mean?” the crowd cried, and were all excitement. Peter was the only cool one in the room. He pushed his way over to Elwell, and seized him by the arm. “Get out of here!” he said fiercely. “Get out of here at once! Her brother is downstairs! Go out the back way and go to your office. Stay there until I see you!” Whispering thus, he forced the dazed man from the room; and then, by telling them that he had gone home, got rid of Fanny and her father. Norine was at once removed to her own room, and her brother sent for; and by degrees the rest were sent away, talking of this strange girl and the sensation she had created. Peter waited until Jim came out of his sister’s room. “What does this mean?” he said. “I thought your name was Darling?” “It is Darling,” replied Jim. “My true name is Darling, but we were brought up under the name of Bright. Now, tell me, where I can find that scoundrel?” he cried, white with passion. “He tried to take my life once, and by the living God, I will give him another chance!” “Wait until morning,” said Peter smoothly. “Wait until morning; and if he has wronged you, we will have satisfaction;” and Peter hurried off to join Elwell, not quite decided on which side to act. The ship was sinking, and to try and defend it against poor Norine Bright was one thing; but to try to hold out against Norine Darling and her money, let alone her brother, that was an entirely different matter. So, after promising to meet Mr. Darling the first thing in the morning, Peter hurried off to see Elwell, as yet undecided on which side to cast his lot. CHAPTER XXVIII. OLD FRIENDS. The carriage stopped in front of a large, gaudy-looking house, and Doctor Conway ran up the steps and rang the bell. The door was opened by a pert-looking servant. Conway inquired if Miss Allan lived there. “Yes,” the servant said shortly, “she did.” “Was she in?” inquired Conway next. To which the servant answered as shortly as before: “Yes. What name?” And, being informed that it was Conway, she disappeared, leaving that gentleman in the hall. She soon returned, however, and, ushering him into the parlor, she requested him to take a seat, and disappeared for good.