tephen's good graces
forever. As for Pearl, she was like one who has unexpectedly seen a
fairy or a goddess. She had been keeping guardedly behind her mother,
but on the instant she came out fearlessly into the open.

Stephen advanced quickly and shook hands with Mrs. Stonehouse, saying
heartily:

'I am so glad you have come. I am honoured in being trusted.'

'Thank you so much, Lady de Lannoy. I felt that you would not mind,
especially when you know why we came. Indeed I had no choice. Pearl
insisted on it; and when Pearl is urgent--we who love her have all to
give way. This is Pearl!'

In an instant Stephen was on her knees by the beautiful child.

The red rosebud of a mouth was raised to her kiss, and the little arms
went lovingly round her neck and clung to her. As the mother looked on
delighted she thought she had never seen a more beautiful sight. The two
faces so different, and yet with so much in common. The red hair and the
flaxen, both tints of gold. The fine colour of each heightened to a
bright flush in their eagerness. Stephen was so little used to children,
and yet loved them so, that all the womanhood in her, which is possible
motherhood, went out in an instant to the lovely eager child. She felt
the keenest pleasure when the little thing, having rubbed her silk-gloved
palms over her face, and then holding her away so that she could see her
many beauties, whispered in her ear:

'How pretty you are!'

'You darling!' whispered Stephen in reply. 'We must love each other very
much, you and I!'

When the two ladies had sat down, Stephen holding Pearl in her lap, Mrs.
Stonehouse said:

'I suppose you have wondered, Lady de Lannoy, what has brought us here?'

'Indeed I was very much interested.'

'Then I had better tell you all from the beginning so that you may
understand.' She proceeded to give the details of the meeting with Mr.
Robinson on the _Scoriac_. Of how Pearl took to him and insisted on
making him her special friend; of the terrible incident of her being
swept overboard, and of the gallant rescue. Mrs. Stonehouse was much
moved as she spoke. All that fearful time, of which the minutes had
seemed years of agony, came back to her so vividly at times that she
could hardly speak. Pearl listened too; all eagerness, but without fear.
Stephen was greatly moved and held Pearl close to her all the time, as
though protecting her. When the mother spoke of her feeling when she sa