little mother! Then he told her the good news of our coming
release, where your men would meet us, and all as I have written.
He is up in his chair to-day, the maid tells me. I joked Louise
about him this morning, and she began to cry at once, and said her
heart was not hers to give. The sly thing! I wonder whom she
loves; but she would say no more, and has had a long face all day.
She is so stubborn! I have sworn I will never tell her another of
my secrets. You are to answer quickly, sending your note by
courier to the Indian dockman at Elizabethport, addressed Robin
Adair, Box 40, St. Hiliere, Canada. And the love of all to all.
Adieu.

"Your loving
"LOUISON.

"P.S. Can you tell me, is the captain of noble birth? I have
never had any doubt of it, he is so splendid."


It filled me with a great happiness and a bitter pang. I was never
in such a conflict of emotion.

"Well," said Therese, "do you see my trouble? Having shown you the
first letter, I had also to show you the second. I fear I have
done wrong. My soul--"

"Be blessed for the good tidings," I interrupted.

"Thanks. I was going to say it accuses me. Louison is a proud
girl; she must never know. She can never know unless--"