Stephen's sobbing had died away; when
each muscle of her body had become rigid on its return to normal calm;
the Silver Lady began to talk of other matters, and conversation became
normal. Stephen's courage seemed somehow to be restored, and she talked
brightly.

Before they parted the Silver Lady made a request. She said in her
natural voice:

'Couldst thou bring that gallant man who saved so many lives, and to whom
the Lord was so good in the restoration of his sight, to see me? Thou
knowest I have made a resolution not to go forth from this calm place
whilst I may remain. But I should like to see him before he returns to
that far North where he has done such wonders. He is evidently a man of
kind heart; perhaps he will not mind coming to see a lonely woman who is
no longer young. There is much I should like to ask him of that land of
which nothing was known in my own youth. Perhaps he will not mind seeing
me alone.' Stephen's heart beat furiously. She felt suffocating with
new hope, for what could be but good from Harold's meeting with that
sweet woman who had already brought so much comfort into her own life?
She was abashed, and yet radiant; she seemed to tread on air as she stood
beside her friend saying farewell. She did not wish to speak. So the
two women kissed and parted.

It had been arranged that two days hence the Stonehouse party were to
spend the day at Lannoy, coming before lunch and staying the night, as
they wanted in the afternoon to return a visit at some distance to the
north of Lannoy. Harold was to ride over with them.

When the Varilands party arrived, Stephen told them of Sister Ruth's wish
to see Harold. Pearl at once proffered a request that she also should be
taken at some other time to see the Silver Lady. Harold acquiesced
heartily; and it was agreed that some time in the late afternoon he
should pay the visit. Stephen would bring him.

Strangely enough, she felt no awkwardness, no trepidation, as they rode
up the steep road to the Mill.

When the introduction had been effected, and half an hour had been
consumed in conventional small talk, Stephen, obedience to a look from
the Silver Lady, rose. She said in they most natural way she could:

'Now Sister Ruth, I will leave you two alone, if you do not mind. Harold
can tell you all you want to know about Alaska; and perhaps, if you are
very good, he will tell some of his adventures! Good afternoon, dear. I
wish you