from him even the poor consolation of sharing the sufferings
of those nearest and dearest to him on earth.

This happened on the 1st of December 1905, at nine o'clock in the
morning. At the same hour Arnold leapt the _Ithuriel_ over the Ridge,
passed down the valley of Aeria like a flash of silver light, and
dropped to earth on the shores of the lake. In the same grove of
palms which had witnessed their despairing betrothal he found Natasha
swinging in a hammock, with a black-eyed six-weeks'-old baby nestling
in her bosom, and her own loveliness softened and etherealised by the
sacred grace of motherhood.

"Welcome, my lord!" she said, with a bright flush of pleasure and the
sweetest smile even he had ever seen transfiguring her beauty, as she
stretched out her hand in welcome at his approach. "Does the King
come in peace?"

"Yes, Angel mine! the empire that you asked for is yours. There is
not a regiment of men under arms in all the civilised world. The last
battle has been fought and won, and so there is peace on earth at
last!"

THE END

MORRISON AND GIBB PRINTERS, EDINBURGH.

* * * * *

Now Ready, Third Edition.

_308 pages, demy 8vo, cloth gilt, 6s._,

THE CAPTAIN OF THE MARY ROSE.

_A TALE OF TO-MORROW._

By W. LAIRD CLOWES,

U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE.

With 60 Illustrations by the Chevalier de Martino and Fred. T. Jane.

_A most graphic and enthralling description of the next Naval War
between France and Great Britain._

* * * * *

THE FOLLOWING ARE A FEW PRESS OPINIONS.

"Deserves something more than a mere passing notice."--_The Times._

"Full of exciting situations.... Has manifold attractions for all
sorts of readers."--_Army and Navy Gazette._

"The most notable book of the season."--_The Standard._

"A clever book. Mr. Clowes is pre-eminent for literary touch and
practical knowledge of naval affairs."--_Daily Chronicle._

"Mr. W. Laird Clowes' exciting story."--_Daily Telegraph._

"We read 'The Captain of the Mary Rose' at a sitting."--_The Pall
Mall Gazette._

"Written with no little spirit and imagination.... A stirring romance
of the future."--_Manchester Guardian._

"Is of a realistic and exciting character.... Designed to show what
the naval warfare of the future may be."--_Glasgow Herald._

"One of the most interesting volumes of the year."--_Liverpool
Journal of Commerce._

"It is well told and magnificently illustrated."--