Let us out to the blessed sunshine again--maybe we can climb one of yon wild rocks and get a view worth seeing." "All right, sir!" said Lorimer, chivalrously resolving that now Errington should have a chance.

"Come on, Mac! _Allons, marchons_,--Pierre! Mr.Gueldmar exacts our obedience! Phil, you take care of the queen!" And skillfully pushing on Duprez and Macfarlane before him, he followed Gueldmar, who preceded them all,--thus leaving his friend in a momentary comparative solitude with Thelma.

The girl was a little startled as she saw them thus taking their departure, and sprang up from her stalactite throne in haste.

Sir Philip had laid aside his torch in order to assist her with both hands to descend the sloping rocks; but her embarrassment at being left almost alone with him made her nervous and uncertain of foot,--she was hurried and agitated and anxious to overtake the others, and in trying to walk quickly she slipped and nearly fell.

In one second she was caught in his arms and clasped passionately to his heart.
"Thelma! Thelma!" he whispered, "I love you, my darling--I love you!" She trembled in his strong embrace, and strove to release herself, but he pressed her more closely to him, scarcely knowing that he did so, but feeling that he held the world, life, time, happiness, and salvation in this one fair creature.