Pearl actually shrieked with joy as she rushed across the room and flung herself into Harold's arms as he stooped to her. He raised her; and she kissed him again and again, and put her little hands all over his face and stroked, very, very gently, his eyes, and said: 'Oh, I am so glad! And so glad your poor eyes are unbind again! May I call you Harold, too?' 'You darling!' was all he could say as he kissed her, and holding her in one arm went across and shook hands with Mrs. Stonehouse, who wrung his hand hard. There was a little awkwardness in the group, for none of them knew what would be best to do next. In the midst of it there came a light knock at the door, and Mr. Hilton entered saying: 'They told me you wished to see me at once--Hulloa!' He rushed across the room and took Harold by the shoulders, turning his face to the light. He looked in his eyes long and earnestly, the others holding their breaths. Presently he said, without relaxing his gaze: 'Did you see mistily at first?' 'Yes.' 'Seeing at the periphery; but the centre being opaque?' 'Yes! How did you know? Why, I couldn't see'--see pointing to Stephen--'Lady de Lannoy; though her face was right in front of me!' Dr. Hilton took his hands from his patient's shoulders and shook him warmly by both hands:- 'I am glad, old fellow! It was worth waiting for, wasn't it? But I say, it was a dangerous thing to take off those bandages before I permitted. However, it has done no harm! But it was lucky that I mistrusted your patience and put the time for the experiment a week later than I thought necessary . . . What is it?' He turned from one to the other questioningly; there was a look on Harold's face that he did not quite comprehend. 'H-s-h,' said the latter warningly, 'I'll tell you all about it . . . some time!' The awkward pause was broken by Pearl, who came to the Doctor and said: 'I must kiss you, you know. It was you who saved The Man's eyes. Stephen has told me how you watched him!' The Doctor was somewhat taken aback; as yet he was ignorant of Pearl's existence. However, he raised the child in his arms and kissed her, saying: 'Thank you, my dear! I did all I could. But he helped much himself; except at the very last. Don't you ever go and take off bandages, if you should ever have the misfortune to have them on, without the doctor's permission!' Pearl nodded her head wisely and then wriggled out of his arms and came again to Harold, looking up at him protectingly and saying in an old-fashioned way: 'How are you feeling now? None the worse, I hope, _Harold_!' The Man lifted her up and kissed her again. When he set her down she came over to Lady de Lannoy and held up her arms to be lifted: 'And I must kiss you again too, Stephen!' If Lady de Lannoy hadn't loved the sweet little thing already she would have loved her for that! The door was opened, and the butler announced: 'Luncheon is served, your Ladyship.' * * * * *