nice to see again! I feel as if I have been blindfolded for years."

"Poor little one!" he said. "Can you ever pardon me?"

They stood together in the deep gloom. They could hear the water lapping
the sides of the passage that led inwards from the shore.

"It must be knee-deep round the bend," said Chris. "Yes, I'll forgive
you, Bertie. I daresay it wasn't altogether your fault, and I expect your
head aches, doesn't it? I hope it isn't very bad. Is there a very big
lump? Let me feel."

She passed her hand over his forehead till her fingers encountered the
excrescence they sought.

"Oh, you poor boy, it's enormous!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me
before? We must bathe it at once."

But Bertrand laughed and gently drew her hand away. "No--no! It is only a
_bagatelle_. Think no more of it, I beg. I merited it for my negligence.
Now, while there is still light, let us decide where you can with the
greatest convenience pass the night."

He was prepared for some measure of dismay, as he thus presented to her
the worst aspect of the catastrophe. But Chris remained serene. She was
rapidly recovering her spirits.

"Oh, yes," she said. "And poor Cinders too! We must find him a nice comfy
corner. He can lie on my skirt and keep me warm. Oh, do you know, I heard
such a funny story the other day about this very cave. I'll tell you
about it presently. But do find the cake first. I'm so hungry. We needn't
go to bed yet, need we? It must be quite early. What time do you think
the tide will let us get out? Poor Mademoiselle will think I'm drowned."

Chris's awe of the Magic Cave had evidently evaporated. The picnic mood
had returned to take its place, and Bertrand knew not whether to be more
astounded or relieved. He began to feel about for the basket containing
the remnants of their feast, while Chris with much volubility and not a
little merriment explained the situation to Cinders.

He calculated that they would be at liberty in the early hours of the
morning unless he tempted Fate a second time by climbing the cliff. But
Chris would not for a moment consider this proposition, and he was too
shaken by his recent fall to feel assured of success if he persisted.
Moreover, he seriously doubted if any boat could be brought within reach
of her while the tide remained high.

Plainly his only course was to follow her lead and make the best of
things. If she managed to extract any enjoyment from a most difficult
situatio