nest plants we have.
There are plenty more of them. You came, I suppose, in search of my
uncle? Excuse my left hand; the right, as you see, is not yet fit for
duty."

"I did indeed come here in search of Mr Gordon," said Barret,
recovering himself; "but permit me to lead you back to the chair; your
strength has not quite returned yet, I see."

He was right. Although Milly had recovered much more rapidly than the
doctor had expected, she could not stand much excitement, and the shock
given by the breaking flower-pot, coupled, perhaps, with the unexpected
meeting with the man who had rescued her, from what might well have
caused her death, somewhat overcame her.

"Excuse me," she said, with a fluttering sigh, as she sank down into the
rustic chair, "I do feel rather faint. It does seem so strange! I--I
suppose it is because I have had no experience of anything but robust
health all my life till now. There--I feel better. Will you kindly
fetch me a glass of water? You will find a cistern with a tumbler
beside it outside."

The youth hurried out, and, on returning with the glass, found that the
deadly pallor of the girl's face had passed away, and was replaced by a
tint that might have made the blush rose envious.

"You must understand," said Milly, setting down the glass, while Barret
seated himself on a vacant flower-pot-stand beside her, "that this
conservatory is a favourite haunt of mine, to which, before my accident,
I have resorted every morning since I came here, in order to sit with
Uncle Allan. The doctor thought me so much better this morning that he
gave me leave to recommence my visits. This is why I came; but I had
totally forgotten that uncle had arranged to go out with the shooting
party to-day, so I sat down to enjoy my favourite plants, and paid them
the poor compliment of falling asleep, owing to weakness, I suppose.
But how does it happen, Mr Barret, that you have been left behind?
They gave me to understand that you are a keen sportsman."

"They misled you, then, for I am but a poor sportsman, and by no means
enthusiastic. Indeed, whether I go out with rod or gun, I usually
convert the expedition into a search for plants."

"Oh, then, you are fond of botany!" exclaimed the girl, with a flush of
pleasure and awakened interest. "I am so glad of that, because--
because--"

"Well, why do you hesitate, Miss Moss?" asked Barret, with a surprised
look and a smile.

"Well, I don't quite