"I am going to throw myself at the Queen's feet, and we shall
see if she will turn a deaf ear to the prayers of two children,
who implore their father's life."

Lord Glenarvan shook his head; not that he doubted the kind heart
of her Majesty, but he knew Mary would never gain access to her.
Suppliants but too rarely reach the steps of a throne;
it seems as if royal palaces had the same inscription
on their doors that the English have on their ships:
_Passengers are requested not to speak to the man at the wheel_.

Lady Glenarvan understood what was passing in her husband's mind,
and she felt the young girl's attempt would be useless, and only
plunge the poor children in deeper despair. Suddenly, a grand,
generous purpose fired her soul, and she called out:
"Mary Grant! wait, my child, and listen to what I'm going to say."

Mary had just taken her brother by the hand, and turned to go away;
but she stepped back at Lady Helena's bidding.

The young wife went up to her husband, and said, with tears in her eyes,
though her voice was firm, and her face beamed with animation:
"Edward, when Captain Grant wrote that letter and threw it into the sea,
he committed it to the care of God. God has sent it to us--to us!
Undoubtedly God intends us to undertake the rescue of these poor men."

"What do you mean, Helena?"

"I mean this, that we ought to think ourselves fortunate if we