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There were no lights at sea, none on the Hudson, and on the East River only the sad signal-spark s above the Jersey

Elsin had found a seat low on a gun-carriage, and,a little, made place for me

"Look at that darkness," she said--"that infinite void under which an ocean s It is like hell, I think Do you understand how I fear the ocean?"

"Do you fear it, child?"

"Aye," she said, ; "it took father and mother and brother You knew that?"

"Lady Coleville says there is always hope that they may be alive--cast on that far continent----"

"So the attorneys say--because there is a legal limit--and I am the Honorable Elsin Grey Ah, Carus, I know that the sea has them fast No port shall that tall ship enter save the last of all--the Port of Missing Ships Heigho! Sir Frederick is kind--in his own fashion I would I had a mother There is a loneliness that I feelat tiesture, and she lifted her head, with a treirl drops a scarf of lace to her waist

Presently she turned quietly to me: "I have told Lady Coleville," she said

"Told her what, child?"

"Of --even to you"

Roused fro with interest and curiosity

"I gave her leave to inform Sir Peter," she added "They were too unhappy about you and me, Carus Now they will understand there is no chance"

And when Sir Peter had asked me if Walter Butler was married, I had admitted it Here was the matter already at a head, or close to it Sudden uneasiness caan to understand how closely the affront touched Sir Peter What would he do?

"What is it called, and by what name, Carus, when a hts--as he does loomily

"He swears it is Do you believe therein his eyes that char one pitiful yet reluctant?"

"I do not know I do not understand the logic of women's minds, nor how they reason, nor why they love I have seen delicacy mate with coarseness, ith stupidity, huoodness with evil I, too, ask why? The answer ever is the same--because of love!"

"Because of it, is reason; is it not?"

"So women say"