“It may--it may not. If it does not, I can never be your wife. You must not ask me to unsay what I have said. I have been sincere. There is my hand, Dick. We are the best of friends--let the future determine your fate and mine.” “You do not bid me cease to hope?” he said, taking the offered hand. “No; we are both free.” “You are; but I am not.” “What more can I say, Dick? This I will add--that you----” “Ahem!” Both of them started. Dr. Lynch stood hardly a rod distant, looking at them. His face was flushed, and he appeared to be angry. “I beg your pardon,” said he, advancing towards them. “You are out early, doctor,” said Julia, striving to hide her confusion. “Excuse me for interrupting you,” he replied, significantly; “but the nature of my business required me to do so.” “What has happened, doctor?” asked Julia. “Captain Kingman had a bad turn this morning, and I was called in at five o’clock. I think he will not live through the day. Mrs. Hungerford is going down to the island. Mr. Hungerford desired to see Mr. Birch before he goes, and I volunteered to find him.” Dick, leaving Julia with Dr. Lynch, hastened to the house. “I am very sorry to have disturbed you, Miss Hungerford,” said the doctor. “You need not be at all disconcerted,” she replied, turning away to hide her blushes. “You seemed to be very pleasantly employed,” he added, with something like a sneer. “You are rather cynical in your manner this morning, Dr. Lynch.” “Pardon me, Miss Hungerford, but may I yet know whether I am to be banished from your presence?” “I shall never banish you, doctor.” “Mr. Birch seems to be on excellent terms with you.” “As he should be,” she answered with dignity. [Illustration: DR. BILKS INTERRUPTS A PLEASANT INTERVIEW.--Page 398.] “Do I annoy you?” “Only when you refer to Mr. Birch.” “Pardon my rudeness, Julia. I love you, and it does not improve my temper to see another so intimate with you. I have no right to feel so.” “You have not, certainly.” “Will you answer me only one question?” “If it is a proper one.” “Must I cease to hope?” “You must hope or cease to hope with no aid from me. The circumstances have not perceptibly changed since we last spoke on this subject.” By this time they had reached the house. The doctor professed to be satisfied; but he was not. CHAPTER XXXI. A HOMŒOPATHIC DOSE. Captain Kingman died that day, as the doctor had predicted. Mary and Eugene stood by his dying bed; and the daughter, forgetting all that he had been, and all that he had done of evil, ministered unto him as though he had been the best and truest of fathers. He was her parent, and there was not a wrong he had done which was not forgiven.