conduct had been that of a heroine through those long trying years.
But Lady Helena thought it for her, and more than once she put her arms
round both the children, and could not restrain her tears.

As for Robert, he seemed to have heard these particulars
for the first time. All the while his sister was speaking,
he gazed at her with wide-open eyes, only knowing now how
much she had done and suffered for him; and, as she ended,
he flung himself on her neck, and exclaimed, "Oh, mamma!
My dear little mamma!"

It was quite dark by this time, and Lady Helena made the children
go to bed, for she knew they must be tired after their journey.
They were soon both sound asleep, dreaming of happy days.

After they had retired. Lady Helena sent for Major McNabbs,
and told him the incidents of the evening.

"That Mary Grant must be a brave girl," said the Major.

"I only hope my husband will succeed, for the poor children's sake,"
said his cousin. "It would be terrible for them if he did not."

"He will be sure to succeed, or the Lords of the Admiralty must
have hearts harder than Portland stone."

But, notwithstanding McNabbs's assurance, Lady Helena passed
the night in great anxiety, and could not close her eyes.

Mary Grant and her brother were up very early next morning,