e, Larpent
held on his undeviating course.

Maud's attention did not linger upon him. No one--save perhaps
Saltash--ever paid much attention to Larpent. She turned back to watch
the now empty gangway, and in a moment she gave an exclamation of relief.

"Ah! Here they come at last!"

A laughing voice spoke behind her. "Enter Cinderella and the Prince!"

She started and saw Saltash's swarthy face close to her. His odd eyes
looked into hers with a flash of mischief.

"See how all my plans bear fruit!" he said. "I wave my wand, and you
behold the result."

She turned from him to look again upon the advancing couple. They were
crossing the gangway alone. Toby, slim, girlish, her wide blue eyes
shining like the eyes of an awakened child, Bunny close behind her,
touching her, his hand actually on her shoulder, possession and
protection in every line of him. He was murmuring into her ear as they
came, and his face was alight with the glory which no earthly lamp can
kindle.

"Behold!" Saltash said again, and moved forward in his sudden fashion to
receive them.

He met them as they stepped on board, and in a moment they were the
centre of observation. The buzz of talk died down as the general
attention focussed upon them. Maud was aware of Jake standing squarely
behind her, and she put out a hand to him which he grasped and held.

Saltash was laughing, but they could not hear what he said. Only in a
moment he had taken a hand of Bunny's and a hand of Toby's and joined
them together. Toby's eyes were lifted to his face. She was smiling with
lips that trembled, and Maud's heart gave a great throb of pity, she
could not have said wherefore. She had a deep longing to go and gather
the child into her arms and comfort her.

Then Toby too was laughing, and she heard Saltash's voice. "These things
only happen properly once in a blue moon, _ma chere_. I give you both my
blessing for the second time to-day. I wish you better luck than has ever
come my way."

He threw a gay malicious glance towards the bridge, where Larpent stood
like a grim Viking looking down upon the scene.

"Come!" he said. "We had better go and tell your daddy next!"

He led them lightly forward, and the crowd opened out with jests and
laughter to let them pass.

Toby walked between the two men, very pale but still smiling--a smile
that was curiously like the smile of a child that is trying not to cry.

"Oh, poor little thing!" Maud whispered suddenl