ng sight of Mrs. Carmichael's apprehensive look;
"there is nobody in it or anywhere near. We are all alone; even Monty
would not leave his work to come with me." Thus reassured, the party
landed, gathered a few late roses and early sweet peas, and then
proceeded to inspect the chalet. The whole building and everything in it
was in admirable taste, even to the library smoking-room, which was only
disfigured by ugly spittoons and half-burned cigars. Many books were
there, chiefly on chemistry, geology and mineralogy, and there was a
large cabinet full of geological specimens, betokening much research and
abundant labour in their preparation and classification.

The whole thing was so unexpected, so surprising, that the picnic ladies
had to rub their eyes to be sure that it was not a dream; but their
astonishment was increased when the woman turned to the younger one and
said, "I know you are Miss Du Plessis, for I heard you called so at
Bridesdale." Miss Du Plessis answered that she was right. Then Matilda
said, "This is all your land, and of course, the land carries the
buildings with it. I have forgotten a great many things, but I remember
that, you see. So Tillycot is yours too; besides I do not want to stay
here any more. Good-bye, I am going home to Monty." At first, the two
ladies were afraid she was going to take the skiff away and leave them
in the house, but she did not. In spite of their entreaties, she walked
quickly up the grassy slope at the back, and disappeared in the forest
beyond. "Is it not wonderful?" asked Miss Du Plessis. "Come, Cecile,
hasten back, or those poor people will be starving," answered the more
practical Mrs. Carmichael.

On their return to the skiff, the presiding matron, while Miss Du
Plessis rowed, unfolded a long piece of yellow leno she had picked up in
one of the rooms. The channel was quite visible from, what may now be
called, the Tillycot end, but when the passengers ducked their heads and
emerged, they saw there would be difficulty in finding it from the other
side. Accordingly, Mrs. Carmichael bade her companion keep the boat
steady, while she stood up, and fastened the strip of gauze to two
saplings, one on either side of the opening, making a landmark visible
immediately the point was passed that intercepted the picnic party from
their view. Rowing round this point, the two travellers appeared, to the
astonishment of the fishers on punt and pier. The colonel was stretched
out