the mantel-piece, and stood there holding one bare
white foot towards the extinct fire as if to warm it.

Capel set down the candle and advanced towards her, when once more she
turned and came straight towards him, and this time he took her in his
arms and kissed her quickly and passionately upon her cheek and lips.

His arms dropped to his sides, though, for he felt that she was icily
cold, and as involuntarily he gave place, and she walked slowly past him
to the open door, out on to the broad landing, and as he caught up the
candle and followed, he saw the tall grey figure go slowly on up and up
the stairs, and when he followed it to the first landing it was on the
one above, going slowly on to the bedroom at the end, through whose door
it passed, and the lock gave a low, soft click.

Paul Capel went back into the drawing-room, feeling half stunned, and
when he reached the middle of the room he paused, candle in hand,
thinking.

"Asleep!" he said at last. "Asleep, and I dared to take her in my arms
like that!"

Then, with an involuntary shiver, the young man turned quickly round,
and went hastily up to his room, to lie till morning, tossing
sleeplessly from side to side.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE TENTH NIGHT.

"It might be," thought Capel, as he dwelt upon the adventure of that
night.

Katrine had descended to breakfast the next morning, and he fancied she
blushed slightly as he pressed her hand; but she looked so frankly in
his face that he could not but think that she was ignorant of what had
taken place.

The days slipped by, and in company, by a private understanding, Capel
and the old lawyer searched every article of furniture that could
possibly have been made the receptacle of the lost treasure.

"I'll help you, of course, my dear sir," said the old man, "if you wish
it; but I really think we shall do no good."

There had been several talks about breaking up the party, but Capel, as
host, had always begged that his companions would stay, urging Mr
Girtle to back him up by proposing that there should be no change until
the whole of the business of the will was completed so far as the others
were concerned.

"I shall find my share at last," Capel said, laughingly. "And besides,
I have the house."

One afternoon, when Artis had accompanied the ladies for a drive, and
the search was about to be recommenced, Mr Girtle sat down by his
little table in the drawing-room and said:

"I have a li