inging up
from the beach such supplies as they most needed, and decided to devote
a portion of each day to this occupation as long as the weather
permitted.

Before sunset they were all safe in the castle again, the child running
about the room they were arranging, and delighted with the many
beautiful ornaments. The ladies made up their minds to adapt themselves
to their circumstances, and be as cheerful as they could, for the
child's sake. They selected the tower for their residence, as it
contained the best rooms in the castle, and the view from every one of
them was beautiful. They could go up the watch tower and look off from
the battlements, over the islands and forests, to those majestic purple
mountains, whenever they desired to do so.

A sleeping room next to the green parlor was chosen for Mrs. Carleton.
It was fitted up with the same degree of luxury as most of the others,
the furniture being of satin wood and ivory, and the hangings and
drapings of the bed and windows of pink velvet and white lace. Two
curiously wrought silver lamps stood on the dressing table, and showed
that they had burned themselves out. In front of the mirror was a jewel
casket; it was open, and showed rings and aigrettes of diamonds and
emeralds. A few ruby ornaments lay on the table, and a string of pearls,
also a small lace scarf and a pair of lady's gloves, embroidered on the
backs with gold. The curtains and velvet draperies of the windows were
completely closed, and the room looked as though some one had dressed in
it and gone away and left the lamps burning. Everything was a mystery to
the ladies which they could not unravel.

When the day was over, Mrs. Carleton and Miss Vyvyan sat beside the
sleeping child, in Mrs. Carleton's room. The fire was burning on the
hearth, and the full moon poured its beams in at the windows; they had
no other light.

Mrs. Carleton spoke much of her bereavement, but struggled to be brave,
and to resign herself to a destiny she could not alter, at the same time
revealing, quite unawares to herself, a character full of intense
affection, unselfishness and great courage.

As Anna watched the sweet, pure face so full of emotion and sensibility,
and the firelight flickered upon and lit up the refined features, her
whole heart yearned toward her new friend, and her own sorrow was
buried in those of the forlorn young mother.

"I have been considering," said Miss Vyvyan, "about your child. Do you
not