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244 was because there were two young ladies, and that he could have managed to entertain on; but it really was the solitarlness and the dreariness of the situation that baffled him. Talk very suitable for a picnic party in fine weather with abundance of provisions was felt to be scarcely the kind of conversation to offer to two frightened girls in a dark night in the wilds, who had neither fire nor candle nor supper. He could only say there was no cause for alarm about Allan, which Isabel, as well as Amy, began to express as soon as he had really gone, and try to exaggerate the necessity of providing something more comfortable for them.

"I am sure I wish you had not put the notion into Allan's head, Mr. Lufton," said Isabel "It is all very well for you to,say you would have gone off, when you knew hat you would have been of no use; but if anything happens to .411n.n, I'll blame myself for evermore that I took up your notion."

"Nothing will happen to Allan, except that he'll perhaps get his supper an hour and a half before us," said Mr. Luffon, testily.

"That's a very likely thing," said Isabel, "Allan is not the one to think about his own supper when we are waiting for ou like an Englishman."