here was nothing of the kind. She
gave me the kiss, which I demanded as her cousin Martin, without
embarrassment, and after that she put her hand again upon the
bridegroom's arm, and marched off with him to the carriage.

A whole host of us accompanied the bridal pair to the pier, and saw them
start off on their wedding-trip, with a pyramid of bouquets before them
on the deck of the steamer. We ran round to the light-house, and waved
out hats and handkerchiefs as long as they were in sight. That duty
done, the rest of the day was our own.

CHAPTER THE FORTY-NINTH.

A TELEGRAM IN PATOIS.

What a long day it was! How the hours seemed to double themselves, and
creep along at the slowest pace they could!

I had had some hope of running over to Sark to see Tardif, but that
could not be. I was needed too much by the party that had been left
behind by Captain Carey and Julia. We tried to while away the time by a
drive round the island, and by visiting many of my old favorite haunts;
but I could not be myself.

Everybody rallied me on my want of spirits, but I found it impossible to
shake off my depression. I was glad when the day was over, and Johanna
and I were left in the quiet secluded house in the Vale, where the moan
of the sea sighed softly through the night air.

"This has been a trying day for you, Martin," said Johanna.

"Yes," I answered; "though I can hardly account for my own depression.
Johanna, in another fortnight I shall learn where Olivia is. I want to
find a home for her. Just think of her desolate position! She has no
friends but Tardif and me; and you know how the world would talk if I
were too openly her friend. Indeed, I do not wish her to come to live in
London; the trial would be too great for me. I could not resist the
desire to see her, to speak to her--and that would be fatal to her.
Dearest Johanna, I want such a home as this for her."

Johanna made no reply, and I could not see her face in the dim moonlight
which filled the room. I knelt down beside her, to urge my petition more
earnestly.

"Your name would be such a protection to her." I went on, "this house
such a refuge! If my mother were living, I would ask her to receive her.
You have been almost as good to me as my mother. Save me, save Olivia
from the difficulty I see before us."

"Will you never get over this unfortunate affair?"' she asked, half
angrily.

"Never!" I said; "Olivia is so dear to me that I am afraid of