t,
before he entirely realized things, and remembered where he was and how
he had got there, he seemed to think that he was at home, and was
continually talking to his mother or sister, or calling for his father,
sometimes in English, sometimes in French. Now he knows all, and when he
heard how it was your thought and his sister's to have so many familiar
objects surrounding him, to give an atmosphere of home to the cabin
prepared in case of a rescue, the tears came to his eyes, and he turned
away his head on the pillow to hide them from me. He believes that, even
in his unconsciousness, these things must have made an impression upon
his mind, and by their soothing influence drawn his thought toward home,
otherwise he must have raved about the prison in his delirium, instead of
returning to old, happy days. So you see, Miss Beverly, he has one more
reason to thank you, this poor fellow who has suffered so much, and kept
so brave and strong through all."

Virginia had been pale of late, but she flushed at these words. "You
believe him innocent, Dr. Grayle!" she exclaimed. "You wouldn't speak of
him like that unless it were so."

"No one could have been with him as I have these past few days, and not
believe him innocent," said the little doctor in his quiet voice. "Sir
Roger thinks as I do, too, now. You will be glad to hear that."

"I am glad," Virginia answered. But Roger was not glad. Above all things
he was just--sometimes in spite of himself. He had helped to nurse Max
Dalahaide; he had changed his opinion of him, and felt bound to say so;
yet he was not glad to change. He would have preferred to go on believing
Dalahaide a guilty man.

Virginia had not the key to Roger's heart, however, and she did not know
that he had the key to hers--to one hidden place there into which she had
hardly dared to look. She would have kept it always locked, even from
herself, if she could; but because she knew that there was something
there to hide, she invited Roger to go with her when Max sent word
through Dr. Grayle, begging to see his hostess. She did not want Roger to
be present when she talked with Maxime Dalahaide for the first time since
his escape. She would have liked to be alone with him, if that had been
possible; but for the very reason that the wish was so strong in her
heart, she denied it. Her cousin Roger had risked his life to please her,
and she had a promise to keep. She meant to keep it; and he had a right
to