of the drawing-room, and locked the door.

Then he went back to Mr. Berners and inquired:

"Now what is it, if I may ask?"

"She is safe! My dear Sybil is safe!--safe beyond all pursuit; beyond
all possibility of recapture!" exclaimed Mr. Berners, triumphantly.

"Thank Heaven, with all my heart! But how, and where?" inquired
Sheridan, excitedly.

"She was rescued by Raphael! She is on mid-ocean now, in a British ship,
under the protection of the British flag, God bless it!"

"Amen! But tell me all about it, or let me read the letter."

"Stop! I must call Pendleton and Beatrix. Those two true friends must
hear my secret and share our joy," said Mr. Berners, rising and going to
the door.

But there was no need to call, for he had scarcely turned the lock
before he heard the light steps of Miss Pendleton approaching.

"What is the matter? Lyon, you are happy or crazy! Which is it? I am
sure something delightful must have happened to make you look so! What
is it?" demanded Beatrix, as she slided into a seat.

Before Mr. Berners could answer, the door once more opened, and Captain
Pendleton entered.

"What is up?" was his first question, on seeing the excited countenances
of his friends.

"We have good news. But--where is Miss Sheridan?" inquired Mr Berners,
suddenly remembering his youngest guest.

"Oh, Minnie is curling her hair in my room. Her ringlets were so blown
by the wind that it was necessary to dress it over again. She wouldn't
let me wait for her," explained Beatrix.

"It is just as well," added Mr. Sheridan. "Minnie is a good girl, but
she is little more than a child; and though I could answer for her
honesty, I couldn't for her discretion."

"Then," said Lyon Berners very gravely, "then let what I am about to
read to you remain an inviolable secret between us four."

"Certainly," answered Sheridan.

"Shall we swear it?" inquired Pendleton.

"Yes! yes! if necessary. But, oh! do go on! It is something about
Sybil," impatiently exclaimed Beatrix.

"Yes, it is something about Sybil. You need not swear to be secret on
this subject. You have given me your words, and that is sufficient.
Indeed, I feel sure that without any request on my part or promise on
yours, you would still have been secret, for you would still have seen
the necessity of secrecy. Now I will read you the letter, which will
explain itself," said Mr. Berners, as he unfolded his mysterious
epistle, and read: