affection for us--for all of us. If at a future
time she informs me of what she has hitherto concealed from us, you
shall know about it immediately."

"So be it, then, Harry," answered the engineer; "and yet I must say
Nell's silence, if she knows anything, is to me perfectly inexplicable."

Harry would have continued her defense; but the engineer stopped him,
saying, "All right, Harry; we promise to say no more about it to your
future wife."

"With my father's consent she shall be my wife without further delay."

"My boy," said old Simon, "your marriage shall take place this very day
month. Mr. Starr, will you undertake the part of Nell's father?"

"You may reckon upon me for that, Simon," answered the engineer.

They then returned to the cottage, but said not a word of the result of
their examinations in the mine, so that to the rest of its inhabitants,
the bursting in of the vaulted roof of the caverns continued to be
regarded as a mere accident. There was but a loch the less in Scotland.

Nell gradually resumed her customary duties, and Harry made good use of
her little visit to the upper air, in the instructions he gave her. She
enjoyed the recollections of life above ground, yet without regretting
it. The somber region she had loved as a child, and in which her wedded
life would be spent, was as dear to her as ever.

The approaching marriage created great excitement in New Aberfoyle. Good
wishes poured in on all sides, and foremost among them were Jack Ryan's.
He was detected busily practicing his best songs in preparation for the
great day, which was to be celebrated by the whole population of Coal
Town.

During the month preceding the wedding-day, there were more accidents
occurring in New Aberfoyle than had ever been known in the place. One
would have thought the approaching union of Harry and Nell actually
provoked one catastrophe after another. These misfortunes happened
chiefly at the further and lowest extremity of the works, and the cause
of them was always in some way mysterious.

Thus, for instance, the wood-work of a distant gallery was discovered to
be in flames, which were extinguished by Harry and his companions at the
risk of their lives, by employing engines filled with water and carbonic
acid, always kept ready in case of necessity. The lamp used by the
incendiary was found; but no clew whatever as to who he could be.

Another time an inundation took place in consequence of the stanchi