d been so frightened by a nameless
fear she could scarcely have put into words. But when the first relief
was over the disappointment came home to her keenly. Paul had painted in
such glowing colours all the joys, and adventures, and wonderful things
which lay in store, that that trip was no ordinary one for them.
It was the great event of their lifetime. It was to have been one long
experience of travel by day and night, by sea and land, and of adventure
with strange and wild creatures--Vikings, wolves, reindeers, Valkyries,
giants, ice-mountains, and caves, fairies and fairies' homes. Stella had
never been able to make up her mind as to what Vikings and Valkyries would
be like, but they were all one delightful thrilling jumble of wild
animals, giants, and strange people, such as ordinary persons never set
eyes on.

"Oh, Paul, it can't be really true?" she cried, in great distress.

"Oh, you don't care," snapped Paul, crossly, "so don't pretend. You can't
care, so don't put it on. You said 'Is that all?' as if it were nothing.
But of course one can't expect much from a girl. I believe you were
really frightened at going and are glad we are not."

Stella's lip quivered. "I was _not_ frightened," she said stoutly,
"and I am _not_ glad; but I thought at first something dreadful had
happened to father or mother--I didn't know what, but something dreadful."

Paul snorted contemptuously. "I wouldn't have minded anything else as
much as this," he said loftily, putting on a very superior air.

"If you had your leg cut off you couldn't _never_ go to fight wolves,"
said Michael soberly. He had been standing, boat-hook in hand, listening
to the conversation. To him to have a leg cut off seemed the most
dreadful thing that could happen.

"But, Paul, why can't we go?" asked Stella, her brother's injustice fading
at once from her mind. "Do you know?"

"Yes, I know. Father told me all about it. He has lost a heap of money,
and we've got to get rid of most of the horses and the servants, and--"
He stopped suddenly in alarm; he was already abusing that confidence his
father had placed in him. Nurse was in the adjoining room and the door
between was open. Supposing she had heard, what should he do? He could
never undo his foolish speech! He peeped at her in a state of great
alarm. No, she was dusting under the bed, and could not have heard,--at
least he thought not. Stella and Michael must be bound over to secr