As it happened there was a good deal to be seen, not merely the fiery outline of the bridge and towers, the lights on Pilatus and Stanserhorn, but numbers of lively little boats carrying Chinese lanterns; they looked like swarms of fire-flies. The Quai was almost impassable, so thronged was it with a gay, gaily dressed, chattering crowd; sightseers, townsfolk, and the contents of various hotels, were all enjoying the brilliant scene, and the delicious evening. The two friends were interested and amused: time passed quickly, the Hof Kirche clock struck ten, and yet there was no sign of Cara. She had been gone considerably more than an hour,--an hour and a half. “At what time did you order the motor-boat?” asked Letty, who began to be uneasy. As Mrs. Hesketh uttered the word ‘eleven’ a sudden flood of rose-coloured light illuminated the entire scene. For a moment, every object was visible with the clearest distinctness, the ruddy glow recalled a transformation spectacle. By its assistance, the ladies beheld, close at hand, a small skiff carrying a jaunty orange lantern, and in the boat were a young couple; a man, who was twanging a mandoline, whilst a laughing girl managed the oars with practised dexterity. All at once the man bent towards her--and then the light failed. Letty gave an audible gasp. “I--could I be mistaken?” She turned on her companion a face of horror. “No, I’m afraid not. Four eyes are better than two--that was Cara rowing about with--Berthe Baer! From what I have gathered in the few days I’ve been at the Paradis, Cara has been throwing dust in your eyes for years.” “Oh, Cousin Maude--you--you--talk to Tomlin!” cried Letty with indignation. “No, my dear, but Frau Hurter has been talking to _me_. Her son’s raging jealousy aroused her suspicions, and she has kept her eyes open.” “But Cara is only a foolish, wild, headstrong child!” “Child no longer, Letty, but a young woman who is not to be trusted.” “What am I to do?” faltered her friend helplessly. “At present, nothing; you must take a leaf out of Cara’s book, and pretend we have not seen her--remember that.” And in accordance with this advice, no remark was made when twenty minutes later, a breathless Cara scrambled into the motor-boat, full of voluble excuses and soft caresses for her sweet Mum. “Berthe had been so ill and miserable--she had not dared to leave her till she slept. She knew her darling Mum would forgive her, and she had run every step of the way down the Drei Linden, and nearly broken her neck!” As the motor-boat squattered off from the stage, a figure stepped out from under the trees, waving a handkerchief, and a manly voice shouted a hearty “_Auf wiedersehen!_” “What a funny man! Who is he shouting to? Were the illuminations good?” enquired the still breathless Cara with an air of innocent curiosity. “Yes, I think so,” replied Mrs. Hesketh. “And were there the usual little boats with lanterns?” Here indeed was audacity!