thery volumes high above their heads, drenching them with a misty
shower; the keel grated upon the shingles, and a strong arm lifted
Flora once more upon her native land.

Benumbed and cramped with their long immersion in salt water, her limbs
had lost the power of motion, and Lyndsay and old Kitson carried her
between them up the steps which led from the beach to the top of the
cliffs, and deposited her safely on the sofa in the little parlour of
her deserted home.

CHAPTER XV.

ONCE MORE AT HOME.

A cheerful fire was blazing in the grate; the fragrant tea was smoking
on the well-covered table, and dear and familiar voices rang in her
ears, as sisters and friends crowded about Flora to offer their
services, and congratulate her on her safe return.

"Ah, does not this repay us for all our past sufferings?" cried Flora,
after the first hearty salutations of her friends were over. "And the
baby! where is the baby?"

Josey was laughing and crowing in the arms of her old nurse, looking as
fresh and as rosy as if nothing had happened to disturb her repose.

"Welcome once more to old England! dear Flora," said Mary Parnell,
kissing the cold, wet cheek of her friend. "When I said that we should
meet again, I did not think that it would be so soon. Thank God, you are
all safe! For many hours it was believed that the boat had been swamped
in the gale, and that you were all lost. You may imagine the distress of
your mother and sisters, and the anguish the report occasioned us all,
and how we rejoiced when Waters ran up with the blessed news that the
boat was returning, and that her crew was safe. But come up-stairs, my
Flora, and change these dripping clothes. There is a nice fire in your
bedroom, and I have provided everything necessary for your comfort."

"Don't talk of her changing her clothes, Miss Parnell," said the old
Captain, bustling in. "Undress and put her to bed immediately, between
hot blankets, and I will make her a good stiff glass of brandy-and-water,
to drive the cold out of her, or she may fall into a sickness which no
doctor can cure. Cut your yarn short, I say, or I shall have to take
charge of her myself."

"Captain Kitson is right, Mary," said Lyndsay, who just then entered
from superintending the removal of his luggage from the boat,
accompanied by a group of friends, all anxious to congratulate Mrs.
Lyndsay on her providential escape. "My dear Flora, you must be a good
girl, and go insta