paper to Grace, requesting her to
sign it. She ought to have read it, but not being well versed in the
ways of the world, did not consider it necessary to do so; and only
glanced at a word or two before writing her name, imagining that she
was simply sending an acknowledgment of the money that Mr. Batty had
forwarded.

Then the man left; but if he had only honestly declared his true
errand, his reception would have been very different.

What this really was came to light a few days later, when an old and
valued friend of the family visited the lighthouse. Grace went forward
to greet him with a smile of warm welcome, when she was suddenly
chilled by his very grave and cold manner.

"You are not pleased with me? What is the matter?" cried Grace.

But the friend turned to William Darling, and began to expostulate with
him.

"I am not surprised that you should be carried away by the stream of
admiration which has been lately pouring in upon you," he said, "but I
never expected that you would consent to such a thing as this in
connection with Batty. Grace might not know better, perhaps, but I
cannot think how her father could ever give his consent to her
submitting to the degradation of exposing herself in the area of a
circus for any idle eyes that please to gaze upon her."

"What do you mean?" cried Mr. Darling, in horror. "I cannot understand
you! I have given my consent to nothing of the kind!"

"Have you really done it without your father's permission?" said the
friend, turning to Grace.

"I wish you would explain yourself," said she. "I do nothing without
first consulting my father, and I am conscious of no wrong now."

"Yes, explain yourself," said Mr. Darling. "No man can be more anxious
than I to protect his daughter. Grace never has, and never shall do
anything that would compromise her fair fame. I will watch jealously
over that."

William Darling felt warmly, and spoke as he felt, and the visitor
hastened to explain.

"I am told on good authority, and indeed I know it to be true, that Mr.
Batty holds an agreement, signed by Grace, in which she pledges herself
to appear in his circus!"

"Oh, Grace, you surely never did such a thing!" cried her father.

"No, father; indeed, I did not," said Grace, upon whom, however, a
light flashed which caused her to suspect the urbane visitor of a few
days before. "But, father, I did sign a paper, which I believed was
nothing but an acknowledgment of