and
then, luckily, there was a boat near at hand."

Susan was on the other side of the bed, and he did not see her. She bent
over him and kissed him.

He turned round, and thoughts rushed through his brain with a rapidity
sufficient to make one short moment a thousand years; but he said
nothing, and presently, almost for the first time in his life, he broke
down into sobbing. He turned away from her and could not look at her.

"You see, Mr. Trevanion," she said smilingly, "just about that very place
I was nearly drowned myself--I don't know whether you ever heard of
it--and I hardly ever keep my eyes off it now when I am anywhere near it,
although I am not afraid of going pretty near after what Robert told me.
When you want a wash again.--I knew you could swim well, by the way, but
I didn't know you ever went into the water now--you must give the buoy a
wider berth." She stooped down and whispered to him--"I never told a
soul before, but it was Robert who saved me. We are quits now. Robert
saved me, and I have done something to save you, though not so much as
Robert, because he had no boat." Then she kissed his forehead again,
delighted at the thought that she could put something into the balance
against her lover's heroism. How proud he would be of her! She would be
able, moreover, to stand up a little bit against him. It was very
pleasant to her to think she owed so much to him, but she liked also to
think that she had something of her own.

Michael caught hold of her round the neck, embracing her with a
passionate fervour which she supposed to be gratitude, but it was not
altogether that.

"Do you know where Robert has gone?" she said. "He was not at home last
night."

"He has gone on--on--some business. I must go too."

"You cannot go just yet; not till you have got over the shock."

"I can--I can. Leave me, and I will dress myself. It is important
business, and I must see him. But, Susan, here--I want you."

It was the first time he had ever called her Susan. She came back to
him. "Listen!" he cried. She bent her head down, but he was silent. At
last, with his arms again around her, he said, "My child, my child, my
child!"

"Me!" she answered innocently. "Do you mean me? do you really? I
couldn't think what you wanted to say, but that's enough. My dearest,
dearest father! Oh, how happy Robert will be! and so am I. We thought
you didn't care for me; and I know I am a poor, foolish