ut that time, in the course of his eager and somewhat erratic
wanderings among solicitors and other men of business, Captain Millet
made a sudden pause, and, by way of taking breath, rushed down to
Folkestone, brought Rose up to Cranby, hired a dog-cart, and drove along
the sands at low tide, in the direction of his sister's cottage.

"I think it probable that you may see him today, Rosebud," he said,
"though I'm not quite sure, for the doctor is afraid of a relapse, and
friends are not yet allowed to visit him. To be sure bein' only a
little girl, you probably wouldn't disturb him at all--'specially if you
didn't speak. Anyhow, you'll see auntie, which will be more to the
purpose."

"Father," said Rose, whose name seemed remarkably appropriate at that
moment, "I should like to get down here, and walk the rest of the way.
By the time I arrive, you'll have had a little talk with poor Jeff and
auntie. Besides, there is a pretty cave that I used to gather shells in
when I was last here. I would like so much to pay it a visit in
passing."

Of course the captain had no objection, and thus it came to pass that
Jeff's fourth visitor on that unquiet morning was the Rosebud!

How feeble are written words to convey ideas at times! If you could
have obtained one glance of Rose and Jeff at that moment, reader, words
would not be required. No peony ever blushed like that Rose--to say
nothing of the blank amazement in those wide blue eyes. Jeff, still
seated on the rock, became petrified.

Recovering first, as women always do, Rose hurried forward with--"I'm
_so_ glad, Mr ---," but there she stopped abruptly, for the unexpected
sight of that stalwart coastguardsman, reduced to a big skeleton with
pale face, hollow cheeks, cavernous eyes, and an old-man stoop, was too
much for her. She covered her face with her hands and burst into tears.

What could Jeff do? He forgot his prudent resolves. He forgot his
weakness because his strength seemed to have suddenly returned. He
sprang up, intending to comfort the poor girl in a brotherly sort of
way. Somehow--he never could clearly remember how--he had her seated on
the rock beside him, with his arm round her waist and her head on his
shoulder.

A few moments later--he never could tell how many--the wickedness of his
conduct came down upon Jeff like a thunderbolt. He removed his arm,
drew away from her about three inches, and looked in her surprised face
with a solemn, se