ously like my father, this old bookworm," murmured the
frightened girl in a strange repulsion, as she fled away to her room. It
was a grateful relief when the servant maid announced that the travelers
would be served in their rooms.

"The Master lives entirely alone," the girl said shortly. Late that
first night the lonely girl sat gazing at the windows rattling under
the flying wrack, while Douglas Fraser and his father communed below her
until the midnight hour. Suddenly Justine Delande was summoned to join
them "on urgent business," and the heiress of a million sat with clasped
hands, murmuring:

"Will he ever find me out here? This is only a cheerless prison. I am,
forever, lost to the world." There was that in Justine Delande's face on
her return which startled the heart-sick wanderer.

"Ask me nothing--nothing to-night. Only sleep, my darling," murmured the
devoted Swiss. The shadows deepened over Nadine Johnstone as she fell
asleep dreaming of her mother, the gentle vision, and, the absent lover
of her girlish heart.

Sunny gleams came with the dawn, and Nadine was already wandering in the
beautiful gardens of "The Banker's Folly," as the home perched on the
hill was termed. It was there that Douglas Fraser suddenly came upon
her, walking with the white-faced Justine. Both women could see that
he bore tidings of grave import, and another shadow settled on Nadine's
heart, as she clasped Justine's hand.

Her cousin's face was grave as he said, in a broken voice: "I
must hasten away instantly to catch the boat, and I have to return
immediately to India. There's no time for a word. My father will tell
you all! It is a matter of life and death to our whole family interests.
May God keep you, Nadine!" the young man kindly said, as he bent and
kissed her hand. "I have tried to make your long journey bearable!" And
then, a wrinkled face at a window appeared to end the coming disclosure,
for Douglas was softening. A harsh voice rose up in a half shriek:

"Douglas! Douglas!" and the young man turned back, without another word,
springing away, over the graveled walks. Nadine's face grew ashen white,
as the presage of coming disaster chilled her heart.

Without a word, Justine Delande led the startled girl into the house.
"You are to see your uncle at once! After our breakfast! And I will be
with you." faltered Justine, with an averted face.

The orphaned girl was now dimly conscious of some impending blow. She
had