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208 thing to merit your thanks: I must see you in safety on your own element," replied Joan, lightly.

"What! And then return alone to Hurst? Nay, indeed, Miss Joan, I'll not suffer that."

"Then, sir, you must pass the night under my father's roof. He will be pleased to have you. He was abroad when I left home, visiting a sick woman. But he will be home again by this, and will, I am sure, receive you with a hearty greeting."

"You are both all goodness, all kindness. I know not how to thank you!"

His voice trembled, and when he had said these words there was silence between them.

Prosaic as their conversation had been since they left the farmhouse, there was an undercurrent of deep feeling in both their hearts which lent a vivid interest to their commonplace words. To Tregenna there was thrilling, sweetest music in every tone of the voice of this young girl, who had exposed herself so undauntedly to danger in the determination to save him from the results of his own daring. While to Joan, careful as she was to speak stiffly and even coldly, there was a secret de-