scuer, a handsome powerful young creature, who comes
to her with all the attributes of a soldier and a prince, who comes not
only to save and protect, but as host and dispenser of all comfort and
beauty.

It was not to be wondered at that she was dazzled and aware of one fact,
one personality, that far from being able to draw shrewd conclusions
from the little happenings going on before her, she was but dimly aware
of the existence of her brother, of the world, of anything but Geoffrey.

Presently she said, as if trying to call up the picture:

"And this is where you sat all night?" And if the thought was
interesting to her, it was not on account of her brother's share in it.

"Yes," returned McVay, springing lightly to his feet. "Here we sat
discussing plans for your safety." He took a step toward the pair at the
fire, and then remembering, stopped. "Please move a little back,
Holland," he said, "I want to get nearer the fire. I'm cold."

[Illustration: "PLEASE MOVE A LITTLE BACK, HOLLAND," HE SAID, "I WANT TO
GET NEARER THE FIRE"]

"You can go to the fire," said Geoffrey, with a gesture of permission.

"Of course you can," said the girl, "Mr. Holland is not in your way,
Billy."

But Billy continued to eye his host. "Oh, no, you don't," he said
warily. "Not unless you move back. Do move, there's a good fellow." And
Geoffrey laughed and moved, somewhat to the girl's mystification. She
forgot to wonder, however, in pursuing the more wonderful train of
thought which had already been occupying her. Suppose that their plans
for her relief had been decided differently, suppose her brother had
come for her instead of the magnificent stranger, with what different
eyes she might now be looking on life--this ecstasy as Holland had
defined it. Curious to know by what accident she had been so blessed,
she asked:

"Why was it, Billy, that you did not come after me yourself?"

"Just what I said to him," replied McVay eagerly. "If I said once, I
said a dozen times: 'Holland, it is my duty and pleasure, it is my
_right_ to go,' but ..." McVay shrugged his shoulders, "when he once
gets an idea into his head, it takes a gimlet to get it out."

"Upon my word, Billy," the girl said indignantly, "I don't think you
ought to talk like that even in fun. You know perfectly well that Mr.
Holland only insisted on going because he thought he was better able to
bear the physical strain."

"Physical strain!" exclaimed McVay colouring