The letter proved to be from Toby Clendon, being a few lines announcing the fact that Mr. Maxwell was staying with him, and that they would both come on that afternoon to Thornstream to renew the acquaintance so pleasantly begun at Marsh-on-the Sea. "What is the matter?" asked Mrs. Belswin, staring in some astonishment at the rosy face and bright eyes of the girl. "Nothing is wrong, I hope?" "No! no! I'm sure I don't look as if anything were wrong. It's this letter from Mr. Clendon." "Mr. Clendon?" repeated Mrs. Belswin, taking the letter handed to her by Kaituna. "Is that the charming young fellow we met the other day?" "Yes!" "Oh, I see he has a friend staying with him, and they are going to call this afternoon. Kaituna, I am a sorceress--a witch, my dear, I should have been burnt in the middle ages as a practitioner of the black art. Give me your hand." "What for," asked Kaituna in some confusion, as Mrs. Belswin took her by the wrist. "For a magical ceremony! There! Now tell me. Is Mr. Clendon the prince?" "No! No! No!" "That's very emphatic. I mistrust emphasis in a girl. Well, we will dismiss Mr. Clendon, though he is very delightful. What about Mr. Maxwell? Ah! Now I know! Your pulse leaped at the name. Your face is rosy, your eyes are bright. By the white witchcraft I practise I interpret these signs. You are in love, my dear." "No!" "And with Mr. Maxwell." Kaituna snatched away her hands with a little laugh and covered her burning face. "You the sleeping beauty," said Mrs. Belswin, with mock severity. "My dear, your sleep is over. The true prince has arrived and the hundred years are at an end." The girl made no reply, but between her fingers one bright eye looked forth at her chaperon. "I will talk to Mr. Maxwell this afternoon, and see if he is a man worthy of you." "Oh, I'm sure he is." "Ah! you have betrayed yourself. It is the prince after all. But what about your father?" "My father will not cross me in this." "Of course not, provided your prince is rich." "Rich or poor; it doesn't matter. Papa will deny me nothing. He is the kindest man in the world." "Humph!" muttered Mrs. Belswin under her breath. "He has altered since my time, then." CHAPTER VII. THE GARDEN OF HESPERIDES. "In a garden fair you met me, And I told you all my woes. Then, in case you might forget me, I bestowed on you a rose. "Love had captive to you brought me, For I felt his arrow's smart; So in mercy quick you sought me, And bestowed on me a heart."