ead?"

"Why," she said passionately, "haven't I seen already how a man can
treat her? Haven't I read the insolent letters he has sent her? Haven't
I seen her throw herself on her bed, beside herself with grief?
And--and--these are things I don't forget, Mr. Trelyon. No, I have got a
word to say to Mr. Roscorla yet for his treatment of my sister; and I
will say it. And then--" The proud lips were beginning to quiver.

"Come, come, Mabyn," said Trelyon gently, "don't imagine all men are the
same. And perhaps Roscorla will have been paid out quite sufficiently
when he hears of to-night's work. I sha'n't bear him any malice after
that, I know. Already, I confess, I feel a good deal of compunction as
regards him."

"I don't at all--I don't a bit," said Mabyn, who very quickly recovered
herself whenever Mr. Roscorla's name was mentioned. "If you only can get
her to go away with you, Mr. Trelyon, it will serve him just right.
Indeed, it is on his account that I hope you will be successful. I--I
don't quite like Wenna running away with you, to tell you the truth. I
would rather have her left to a quiet decision, and to a marriage with
everybody approving. But there is no chance of that. This is the only
thing that will save her."

"That is precisely what I said to you," Trelyon said eagerly, for he was
afraid of losing so invaluable an ally.

"And you will be very, very kind to her?"

"I'm not good at fine words, Mabyn. You'll see."

She held out her hand to him and pressed his warmly: "I believe you will
be a good husband to her; and I know you will get the best wife in the
whole world."

She was going away when he suddenly said, "Mabyn!"

She turned.

"Do you know," said he, rather shamefacedly, "how much I am grateful to
you for all your frank, straightforward kindness--and your help--and
your courage?"

"No, no," said the young girl good-humoredly. "You make Wenna happy, and
don't consider me."

CHAPTER XXXV.

UNDER THE WHITE STARS.

During the whole glad evening Wenna had been queen of the feast, and her
subjects had obeyed her with a joyous submission. They did not take
quite so kindly to Mabyn, for she was sharp of tongue and imperious in
her ways, but they knew that they could tease her elder sister with
impunity--always up to the well-understood line at which her authority
began. That was never questioned.

Then at nine o'clock the servants came, some on foot and some on
dog-carts, and presently