for a moment, sir--as
if she didn't quite understand, and then knew her again directly. The
doctor had just called. He drew up the blind to let the light in, and
he looked, and he says: 'Only be careful'--" Tender-hearted Susan broke
down, and began to cry. "I can't help it, sir; we are all so fond of
Miss Kitty, and we are so happy. 'Only be careful' (those were the exact
words, if you please), 'and I answer for her life.'--Oh, dear! what have
I said to make him run away from me?"

Randal had left her abruptly, and had shut himself into the
drawing-room. Susan's experience of men had not yet informed her that a
true Englishman is ashamed to be seen (especially by his inferiors) with
the tears in his eyes.

He had barely succeeded in composing himself, when another servant
appeared--this time a man--with something to say to him.

"I don't know whether I have done right, sir," Malcolm began. "There's a
stranger downstairs among the tourists who are looking at the rooms and
the pictures. He said he knew you. And he asked if you were not related
to the gentleman who allowed travelers to see his interesting old
house."

"Well?"

"Well, sir, I said Yes. And then he wanted to know if you happened to be
here at the present time."

Randal cut the man's story short. "And you said Yes again, and he gave
you his card. Let me look at it."

Malcolm produced the card, and instantly received instructions to
show the gentleman up. The name recalled the dinner at the London
club--Captain Bennydeck.

Chapter XIX. The Captain.

The fair complexion of the Captain's youthful days had been darkened by
exposure to hard weather and extreme climates. His smooth face of twenty
years since was scored by the telltale marks of care; his dark beard was
beginning to present variety of color by means of streaks of gray; and
his hair was in course of undisguised retreat from his strong broad
forehead. Not rising above the middle height, the Captain's spare figure
was well preserved. It revealed power and activity, severely tested
perhaps at some former time, but capable even yet of endurance under
trial. Although he looked older than his age, he was still, personally
speaking, an attractive man. In repose, his eyes were by habit sad and a
little weary in their expression. They only caught a brighter light
when he smiled. At such times, helped by this change and by his simple,
earnest manner, they recommended him to his fellow-creatu