"You and your father - " I resumed; but she interrupted me almost

with a gasp.

"My father! How do you know that?" she cried.

"I saw you together when you landed," was my answer; and I do not

know why, but it seemed satisfactory to both of us, as indeed it

was the truth. "But," I continued, "you need have no fear from me.

I see you have some reason to be secret, and, you may believe me,

your secret is as safe with me as if I were in Graden Floe. I have

scarce spoken to any one for years; my horse is my only companion,

and even he, poor beast, is not beside me. You see, then, you may

count on me for silence. So tell me the truth, my dear young lady,

are you not in danger?"

"Mr. Northmour says you are an honourable man," she returned, "and

I believe it when I see you. I will tell you so much; you are

right; we are in dreadful, dreadful danger, and you share it by

remaining where you are."

"Ah!" said I; "you have heard of me from Northmour? And he gives

me a good character?"

"I asked him about you last night," was her reply. "I pretended,"

she hesitated, "I pretended to have met you long ago, and spoken to

you of him. It was not true; but I could not help myself without

betraying you, and you had put me in a difficulty. He praised you

highly."

"And - you may permit me one question - does this danger come from

Northmour?" I asked.

"From Mr. Northmour?" she cried. "Oh no; he stays with us to share

it."

"While you propose that I should run away?" I said. "You do not

rate me very high."

"Why should you stay?" she asked. "You are no friend of ours."

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