a sigh of relief that the frightened woman hastily passed through
Ram Lal's spacious snuggery in rear of his jewel mart and was soon
ensconced in a little pagoda, where Major Hawke seated himself at
her side and skillfully took up his soft refrains.

In half an hour they were thoroughly en ban rapport, for the
graceful Major Hawke adroitly conversed with his laughing eyes
frankly beaming upon the lonely woman. He had drawn a long breath
of relief when he ran over the letter which the delighted Justine
frankly submitted to him for his inspection. The fair Euphrosyne's
secret advices justified his warmest anticipations. He had conquered
her heart.

"I will not delay you longer this morning," he said at last, with
an artful mock confidence. "I am infinitely grateful to you for so
kindly coming to meet me here. And it is only due to you to tell
you why I begged you to come here to-day. The nature of my important
official duties is such that I am not permitted to exhibit my
real character to any one here as yet. I am charged with some very
delicate public duties which may force me to linger here for some
time, or perhaps disappear without notice, only to return in the
same mysterious manner. But in me you have a stanch secret friend
always. I have already written to your charming sister, and I expect
to receive from her letters which will be followed by letters to
you from her. And I shall write to-day and tell her of your goodness
to me." Miss Justine Delande's eyes were downcast. Her agitated
bosom was throbbing with an unaccustomed fire, and the desire to
be safely sheltered once more in Hugh Johnstone's marble palace
was now strong upon her.