sent us for our good, Nora," said her cousin. "Once I might
have thought as you do, that unless his birth was high and noble, equal
to your own, no man was worthy to become your husband; but, Nora," and
Lady Sophy heaved a deep sigh, "I have learned to prize a true and noble
heart; and if such is his, I cannot tell you that I believe you would be
right in discarding him on account of his birth. This is not worldly
advice; but I again repeat that I believe, if he is what we have all
hitherto supposed him, there is not sufficient cause to refuse him as
your husband."

Nora threw herself into her cousin's arms.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, dear Sophy," she exclaimed. "You are right.
It was a fearful struggle; but I should have died had I been compelled
to give him up. I feel how cruel, how wrong I should have been. I know
he loves me, and what a bitter feeling it would have caused his noble
heart."

"Then, Nora, let me go in and tell him that we beg he will come to the
castle. I am sure, that without your invitation he would not consent to
be removed there."

"Oh, yes, do, do," exclaimed Lady Nora. "It will be dreadful for him to
have to remain here; for his poor mother would certainly not know how to
take proper care of him."

While this conversation was going on, Mr Finlayson had despatched Shane
and Ned Davis, who insisted he was now strong enough for anything,
followed by Patrick, with all the ropes and spars they could collect, to
go along the beach and assist in the rescue of any of the seamen who
might still have escaped drowning, and be even now reaching the shore.
He himself, meantime, undertook to ascend the cliff, and send the groom
back for a litter on which to carry Captain Denham to the castle. At
first, when the proposal was made, he declined leaving his mother's hut,
and it was not till her entreaties had been joined to those of Lady
Sophy he consented to place himself in their hands.

"You would greatly disappoint my cousin Nora if you refuse to comply
with her request," whispered Lady Sophy.

It is possible that this remark might have settled the question.

"But does she know who I am?" he asked in a low trembling voice.

"Yes, yes," answered Sophy. "Do you suppose that to a true-hearted girl
as she is that would make any real difference? Oh, Captain Denham, ask
your own heart. Would you thus be ready to sacrifice any one you
loved?"

"May Heaven reward her," he murmured.

His feel