Nevertheless, as she came close to the other girls, she had time to look at the pond, and to notice the exact position of that willow bough along whose slender branch little Ralph had crept in order to gather the water-lilies. The water-lilies were there still in great abundance with all their delicate wax-like cups closed, for it was the time of their slumber. The pond, too, looked still and glassy on its surface, except when the duck-weed, and many parasites of the pond threw an unwholesome glamour over its depths. Robina seemed to realise the whole scene that had taken place there--the child who had dropped into the water, the immediate power of the clinging weeds, the impossibility for the little fellow to swim in his clothes. She saw again Harriet rushing to the rescue, and she well guessed the storm of devotion which she had aroused in the heart of the brave little child. But since that scene, which, without its explanation, sounded innocent enough, another had taken place--one that Robina herself had witnessed. Could she ever forget the agony of that moment when, almost out of her depth, she had longed in vain for the power to swim out to save Ralph! Would she at such a moment have thought of any possible reward except that most divine reward of all--that of giving up her very life for his? Robina shook herself as though from a day-dream, and it was at this instant that Harriet and Jane, turning, saw her standing in the path. Jane's round face was quite pale, and there were tears in her black eyes. She had been letting off some of the soreness of her heart to Harriet, and Harriet had been the reverse of sympathising. Harriet had said once or twice: "All right, Jane: if you don't want the five pounds, you need not have them. I can assure you it is an immense sacrifice on my part to give you so much money; but when I make a promise, I keep it. You haven't done much for me, so don't you think it: but I promised you five pounds. My birthday will be this week: god-mother never forgets me. When the five pound note comes, it will be handed over to you: you can take it or leave it." Why _was_ it that the last words of Harriet's sentence were wafted to Robina's ears? "When the five pound note comes, you can take it or leave it." Harriet turned pale and drew herself up abruptly. "Well," she said, "have you been eavesdropping again?" "No," said Robina, stoutly. "I came to speak to you as I heard that you and Jane were walking in the shrubbery. I did hear your last sentence; I heard you say to Jane, `When the five pounds comes, you can take it or leave it.' I haven't an idea what that sentence means, nor does it concern me. I want to speak to you, however, Harriet. Will you kindly listen, please." "Hadn't I better go?" said Jane, who felt exceedingly uncomfortable.