actured. She bore Hector away to
survey it, and Peggy and Mellicent were left alone together, the latter
staring with curious eyes in her companion's face. An hour ago Peggy
had been the most agitated of the party, and had showed a terror
inconsistent with her character, yet now, when there seemed an even
greater need for anxiety, she was calm and quiet, a little white image
of composure.

"Peggy," she whispered softly, "aren't you frightened? Do you think he
will--get there, Peggy? Do you think he will be--safe?"

"I know he will be safe, Mellicent."

"But they say it is so dangerous! They say it is a risk. He _might_ be
drowned!"

"He will be safe, Mellicent. I am quite sure of it."

"But, oh, Peggy, how can you tell? How can you be sure?"

Peggy's eyes came round with a flash, and stared full in Mellicent's
face.

"Because I love him, Mellicent! Because we belong to one another, Rob
and I, and I cannot live without him. Because I have asked God to take
care of him for me, and I know He will do it!"

Mellicent shrank back aghast. What a confession to have heard from
Peggy's own lips! Peggy, the reserved and dignified; Peggy, who was so
scrupulously reticent about her own feelings! She could hardly believe
her ears. It seemed unnatural, alarming, almost shocking. Her eyes
dropped to the ground, she shuffled uneasily to and fro, and crept
quietly away.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

Peggy's faith was justified, for though the way was long, and the
current often swept him aside, Rob struggled on gallantly until, after
what seemed an interminable period of suspense, his friends saw him
clamber into the boat as she lay on the sandbank. Then for some minutes
there was no movement, and though it was to be expected that he would
need a rest after his exertions, the faces on shore began to lengthen as
time passed by, and brought no sign of an advance.

"I don't know how he is going to move her now that he _is_ there! Rob
is strong enough, but one man is little use in a boat of that size. How
can he expect to row her back alone?"

"Against the tide, too! He would wear himself out, and make no
progress. I expect he recognises that by this time, and will not
attempt it. It would not help us much to see him carried away."

"He cannot be in a condition to do much pulling, poor fellow! He must
be pretty well played out. I'm afraid after all it has been a waste of
energy."

"Rob would not have g