“ Then we must bo friends. But, Hugh, your suspense tortures me. Tell me what you dreamt.”

“ I will ; it’s a clue. I did not sleep at all till it was nearly time for Sarah to get up and light the fire. I was just dozing when I heard her. She sleeps in the little room next to mine, and she makes such a noise. I waited till she went down, then I remember no more till I found myself in a largo place full of people, all strangers to me. No one noticed me, though I walked about amongst them boldly. I had no crutches. It was such a treat to forget my deformity, and I strutted hither and thither. Suddenly a little woman—she did not look English, nor a bit like anybody I have ever seen —stopped me and said : ‘ Are you looking for Nelly Henstock ?’ She seemed to hiss her words into my ears. I was not afraid, but overjoyed, and hissed back: ‘ Yes, yes, where is she ?’ ”

Hugh’s eyes had a far-away look. He spoke as if passing through the vision again. Dr Henstock leant forward, breathlessly, an anxious, strained expression on his face. He looked as if endeavouring with all his might to see what Hugh saw., Tears trembled in Mrs Bruce's eyes. She was sorry for both of them. There was a pause; none spoxe; a word might have broken the whole spell. “ 4 Where, where is she ?’ I asked three times,” continued Hugh ; “ then the strange person touched me on the shoulder, turned me partly round, and pointed. ‘There!’ My eyes followed the direction of her finger. xr 1 if 11 °P en B P ace hi a sort of bower, sat Nelly. People moved about but never went near her. She passed as unnoticed as I did until a gentleman, young and nice-looking, whose face seemed familiar to me, though I could not remember where I had seen it, went and stood in front of her. Her face grew bright; its sad wistfulness fled. She gave an exclamation of glad surprise, and beckoned him to the seat at her side. ‘ Have you found daddio T she said.” “ And my darling’s answer,” broke in Dr Henstock, wildly, “what was it?” “ I did not hear that. 