He
was subject to much cruelty and many indignities, but at last managed
to make his escape, and for some months lived in the thick forests,
striving to find his way back to civilization. At last he was found by
a missionary, almost at the point of death, and tenderly nursed back to
health and strength at a small mission station. It was some time,
however, before he could send tidings of his escape, and long before he
was well enough to be brought down to the coast. He had much to tell
to Clare, and also much to hear.

'I cannot believe it is really you,' she said to him, when alone with
him one day; 'I keep wondering if I shall wake up and find it all a
dream.'

'You had become accustomed to live without me, had you?' he said,
smiling. 'Would you rather I had not come back to disturb your life
again? You seem to be so happy in your present work.'

'Oh, Hugh, if you only knew what I have gone through, you would not
talk so! I don't think you have been out of my thoughts for a single
day. God has helped me to bear your loss, but I never knew how your
life was woven into mine, till the awful news came that I had lost you!'

'We will not think about it,' said Captain Knox, with deep feeling.
'We have been brought together again, thank God, and I believe we are
both the better for what we have suffered. It is wonderful to see the
way that we are led, and the goodness and love that brings sweet out of
bitter, and blessing out of evil.'

'And,' said Clare softly, as she leaned her head against his shoulder,
and felt the support of his strong arm round her, 'we have both been
drawn inside the kingdom, Hugh. That is the best of all. We will
serve our Master together, and not death itself can separate us now.'

One more scene before we leave the four sisters. Nannie is the
conspicuous figure in it. She has been brought to Jasmine Cottage, and
it is the eve of Elfie's marriage. The girls were gathered round her
in the cosy bedroom that had been prepared for her, and they were full
of mirth and happiness.

Gwen had been astonishing them by a piece of news that she had been
keeping to herself for a long time, and this was that she had at last
listened to Clement Arkwright, and was engaged to him.

'They say that if one wedding comes off in a family, others are sure to
follow,' she said, by way of excusing herself; 'and he has been
bothering my life out lately. I never seem to go up to town without
tumbling