le play, when we know that it is exerted in
our favour! I saw not the action, nor yet the emotion that may have
been depicted on that radiant face. My eyes were averted. I dared not
trust them to watch the effect. I only knew that the can was taken from
my hands--the paper along with it; and, like a dream, the fair
water-carrier passed from before me--leaving me alone upon the spot! My
eyes followed the receding form, now side by side with that of the
chiding guardian. Together they entered the corral--Lilian upon the
nearer side; but, as the maiden's face disappeared behind the sombre
shadow of the waggons, a glance given back through those shining tresses
convinced me that my scheme had succeeded!

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED.

A SISTER'S APPEAL.

I hastened to inform Marian of what had passed--having returned to the
tents, without giving any sign of the excitement that was stirring
within my breast. Why not to-night? Why not at once--within the hour?
These were my reflections, put interrogatively, as I hurried over the
ground. The huntress still remained within her tent; but, enjoying the
fraternal privilege, I could enter; and, stooping, I passed under the
covering of skins.

"You have seen sister Lilian!" she said, affirmatively, as I entered.

"I have."

"And spoken with her?"

"No--I dared not trust myself to speak; but I have given her a token of
recognition."

"In writing? I saw you. She knows, then, that you are here?"

"By this time she should--that is, if she has found an opportunity to
look at the paper."

"She will find that, I daresay. Oh, she _is_ beautiful--very beautiful.
I do not wonder, sir, that you love her! Were I a man--Knows she that
I too am here?"

"Not yet. I feared to tell her, even in writing. I feared that in the
sudden transport of joy which such a discovery would produce, she might
proclaim it to your father--perhaps to _him_!"

"You are right--there might have been a risk of that. She must not know
that I am here, till we can caution her against declaring it. How do
you propose to act?"

"I have come to take counsel from you. If we could only make known to
her that you are present, she might find an opportunity of stealing
forth; and in the darkness, all the rest could be accomplished. Even
to-night--why not this very night?"

"Why not?" echoed the huntress, catching eagerly at the idea. "The
sooner the better. But how am I to see her? Should I enter