of Ballarat are censorious, and we must give them no groundwork
for remarks," he continued.

The girl hung her head, but seemed to appreciate the advice and delicacy
of Fred. She made no response.

"If the person you are in search of--Mr. Robert Herrets--is to be found
in the mines of Ballarat, you shall see him before this time to-morrow;
and even after he has joined you, I should recommend that you impose
upon the good miners here, and not let them think that the person we
have rescued and the newly-made bride is one and the same person."

The girl looked into Fred's face with an earnest gaze, as though she
would rather have heard some one else mention the idea of marriage, but
my friend did not appear to notice it.

"He will, of course, be rejoiced to meet you, and will sympathize with
you in your troubles; and after your union you will forget your new
friends."

If Fred had but seen the expressive look that the girl gave him, and
then noted the painful thoughts that appeared to have crossed her mind,
he would not have continued in that strain.

"I can readily imagine the joy that Mr. Herrets will feel when he knows
that, for the purpose of becoming his wife, you have braved the dangers
of the ocean, and struggled nobly against a thousand obstacles, and
overcome them all. He will appreciate your love the more, or he will not
be human."

She appeared to listen without the power of speech. I suspected the
cause of her emotion, but did not dare to hint to Fred my suspicions. I
wondered how it would end, and trembled for the fate of the girl if she
should continue to nourish the passion that I saw she entertained for my
friend. It was marvellous, and almost beyond belief. She had known Fred
but a few hours, and yet already was she inspired with a feeling of love
for the man, that threatened to annihilate all traces of her passion for
the apprentice. I hardly believed it possible, and yet I knew that I
could not be mistaken. Fred seemed blind not to perceive it.

"We will go to the police office, and request that diligent search be
made for Mr. Herrets," Fred said, and he motioned to go; but the girl
murmured something in a low tone, and he stopped. "You made some
request?" he asked.

"I only said that--that perhaps--you were tired, and therefore had--had
better rest--before proceeding to the--police."

She tried to look indifferent, but the effort was a failure.

"O, bless your heart, not at all," answered F