ht visitor."

"He came back in a few minutes, but so transformed in outward
appearance that Ducie scarcely knew him."

"Behold!"

"Sister Agnes knelt for a few moments and bent her head in silent
prayer."

"He put his hand to his side, and motioned Mirpah to open the letter."

* * * * *

Illustrations to "The Bretons at Home."

[Illustration: I SAW AND RECOGNIZED THE MYSTERIOUS MIDNIGHT VISITOR.]

THE ARGOSY.

_FEBRUARY, 1891._

THE FATE OF THE HARA DIAMOND.

CHAPTER V.

AT ROSE COTTAGE.

On regaining my senses I found myself in a cozy little bed in a cozy
little room, with an old gentleman sitting by my side gently chafing one
of my hands--a gentleman with white hair and a white moustache, with a
ruddy face and a smile that made me all in love with him at first sight.

"Did I not say that she would do famously in a little while?" he cried,
in a cheery voice that it did one good to listen to. "I believe the
Poppetina has only been hoaxing us all this time: pretending to be
half-drowned just to find out whether anyone would make a fuss about
her. Is not that the truth, little one?"

"If you please, sir, where am I? And are you a doctor?" I asked,
faintly.

"I am not a doctor, either of medicine or law," answered the
white-haired gentleman. "I am Major Strickland, and this place is Rose
Cottage--the magnificent mansion which I call my own. But you had better
not talk, my dear--at least not just yet: not till the doctor himself
has seen you."

"But how did I get here?" I pleaded. "Do tell me that, please."

"Simply thus. My nephew Geordie was out mooning on the bridge when he
heard a cry for help. Next minute he saw you and your boat go over the
weir. He rushed down to the quiet water at the foot of the falls,
plunged in, and fished you out before you had time to get more than
half-drowned. My housekeeper, Deborah, put you to bed, and here you are.
But I am afraid that you have hurt yourself among those ugly stones that
line the weir; so Geordie has gone off for the doctor, and we shall soon
know how you really are. One question I must ask you, in order that I
may send word to your friends. What is your name? and where do you
live?"

Before I could reply, the village doctor came bounding up the stairs
three at a time. Five minutes sufficed him for my case. A good night's
rest and a bottle of his mixture were all that was requ