There was a deep silence. Neither spoke. Helpless, crushed by the law's heavy hand, with hardly a ray of hope ahead, both sat stunned by the calamity which had overtaken them. All at once their reverie was disturbed by the sound of approaching footsteps. The big door opened and Collins appeared. Addressing the lawyer, the old waiter said: "There's a gentleman in the visitors' room--a Mr. Chase, sir. He's come up from New York specially to see you, sir. When I told him you were talking with the young lady--he--he made me promise him to bring him to see her, too. He has no permit, but I've waited on him scores of times at Del's, and he was always so liberal, that I couldn't refuse him. Shall I bring him here, sir? And would you mind taking the responsibility--if any question is raised?" Paula rose, a flush of pleasure reddening her pale cheeks. "Oh, please, Mr. Ricaby, I do so want to see him," she cried. "I had better see him alone, Paula," objected the lawyer. "But I want to see him," she insisted. Mr. Ricaby nodded to Collins. "Very well; tell him to come in." The old man disappeared, and the attorney turned to his client. There was a tone of reproach in his voice as he said: "How glad you are to see this man, Paula!" "Yes; I--I----" she stammered. "You don't stop to think," rejoined her companion bitterly, "that his family is the cause of your present predicament. You might say it is his fault." "His mother's fault, perhaps, but not his," corrected Paula quickly. "You don't like him--you never liked him. Yet he is my friend--the one friend I feel I can depend upon besides yourself. Won't you try and like him for my sake?" The lawyer shook his head. Doggedly he replied: "If I don't like him that is my affair. I don't see why you should take it so much to heart." "Well, don't--don't say anything to him, will you?" "No, no, of course not. I only wish I could share your good opinion of him." Paula was about to reply, when they heard the noise of approaching footsteps. The next instant Tod came in, beaming over with high spirits. "Hello, people! hello!" he cried heartily. His jocular manner and hearty greeting might lead one to think that it was a pleasure jaunt rather than a sympathy call on an inmate which had brought him to the asylum. Not understanding his gaiety, Paula and the lawyer stared at him in amazement. It was the first time that Paula had seen him since they were parted so unceremoniously at the ferry, and she thought he might show a little more concern. "How are you, Mr. Ricaby?" he said cheerily. "Miss Paula, I never saw you looking better!" Looking around curiously, he went on enthusiastically: "Do you know this is a great little place up here? Gee, the scenery is great!--finest view of Long Island Sound I ever saw. Well, they got us at the ferry, didn't they? If the blamed old boat hadn't broken down they'd never have caught us, would they?"