For a few minutes neither spoke, and then Eaton placed a chair for Mrs Hallam, and as she took it gazing at him searchingly, he hastily thought over what he should say, and ended by saying something else, for in a quick, blundering way, he cried: "Mrs Hallam, I cannot say what I wish. You know how I love her." Mrs Hallam drew a long sighing breath, full of relief, and her eyes became suffused with tears. "Yes," she said at last; "I felt that you did love her. Have you told Julie so?" "Not in words," he cried. "She disarms me. I want to say so much, but I can only sit and look. But you will give your consent?" "Have you thought all this over?" said Mrs Hallam gravely. "You know everything--why we came here?" "Yes, yes," he cried quickly. "I know all. I have known it from your first landing." "Such a union would not be suitable for you," she said gravely. "Not suitable! Mrs Hallam, I am not worthy of your child. But you are playing with me," he cried, his words coming fast now. "You will not oppose it. You see I know all. Give me your consent." She sat looking at him in silence for some moments, and then laid her hand in his. "Yes," she said. "If Julie loves you I will not withhold my consent." "And Mr Hallam, may I speak to him now? Of course he will not refuse me. You will tell him first. And Julia, where is she?" In his eagerness his words came hurriedly, and he caught Mrs Hallam's hands to his lips and kissed them. "I will fetch Julie here," she said gently, and with a strange look of repose coming over her troubled face. She left the room and sought her child, who looked at her wonderingly. "Come," she said with her voice sounding broken and strange; "Mr Eaton wishes to speak to you." "Mother!" exclaimed Julia, shrinking. At that moment they heard Hallam's steps as he passed across the hall. Mrs Hallam's countenance changed, and she shuddered. "Come," she said; "you are not afraid of him?" "Of Mr Eaton? Oh, no," cried Julia with animation; "but--" "Hush, my child! I will not leave you. Hear what he has to say before you speak." Julia's eyes seemed to contract, and there was a shrinking movement, but directly after she drew herself up proudly, laid her hand in her mother's, and suffered herself to be led into the room. "At last!" cried Eaton, flushing with pleasure. "Julie, I dare speak to you now. I love you with all my heart." He stopped short, for the window was darkened by the figure of Stephen Crellock, who looked in for a moment, and then beckoned with his hand to some one in the verandah. Hallam came forward looking flushed and angry, and the two men entered the room. "We are just in time," said Crellock with a half laugh, but with a savage flash of the eye at Eaton. "Mr Lieutenant Eaton is bidding the ladies good-bye." Eaton gave him an indignant look, and turned to Hallam. "Mr Hallam," he said proudly, "Mr Crellock is wrong. I have been speaking to Mrs Hallam and--"