In after years, Alice never forgot what the words of the Twenty-seventh Psalm were to her on that Epiphany eve.

The following days the papers were filled with the thrilling details given by the survivors. Alice could hardly nerve herself to read them at first, but soon her heart glowed within her as she read, in the evidence of the sailors, of the heroic courage, presence of mind, and self-denial shown by one of the two passengers saved-Mr. Sherborne. To him, humanly speaking, the fifteen survivors owed their lives. He had stood by the noble captain, as one boat-load after the other attempted in vain to leave the sinking vessel. No effort on his part was wanting to save the unfortunate women and children, whose screams were mingled with the howling of the wind above and the roar of the waves below. It was only at the captain's command that he went down into the last boat that remained.

"The only chance that boat has, depends upon there being at least one brave man in her. Go, Sherborne For my sake, go! It is as much your duty to do all you can to save that boat-load, as it is mine to remain at my post."

It was Sherborne who maintained the discipline of that small crew. It was he who cheered their despondency, as distant sails appeared and disappeared on the horizon. It was he who, as night drew on, and the men quailed at the prospect of the darkness which would impede their steering over and between the waves, first pointed to the phosphoric crest which increased in strength on the top of each wave. As the Pillar of Fire lighted the Israelites of old through the Wilderness, so it now, as darkness drew on, lighted the solitary boat through and over the deep troughs of the ocean.

CHAPTER XXV.

ROBERT SHERBORNE'S RETURN.

WITHIN a few days, Canon Leslie received a short, hurried note from Robert Sherborne, announcing his arrival at home.

"I long to see you," he said. "I feel as if I had lived ten years in those most awful days. When may I come and see you?"

We need scarcely say that Canon Leslie's answer "Come as soon as you can."

was,

But it could not be till he had been at home, and had visited his uncle. So, it was not till the last week in January that he arrived at Canon Leslie's house in the Grey Court.

It had been a matter of some discussion between the aunt and nephew as to where, and when, Alice and Sherborne were to meet.

"I think it will be best, Aunt Jane, to take him over in the dusk, soon after he comes, just for them to get over the first interview. And then, you know, we have asked Alice and Evelyn to dinner, with other people who only know Bob's name as one who was saved from the Cambrian."

Miss Harley acquiesced; and on the appointed day Sherborne arrived, when, after a very cordial welcome from his old friend, it was suggested to him that he should go and renew his acquaintance with his fellow-voyagers. Just as was intended, it was too dark to see how he and Alice met; but it was done. And when the sisters appeared in Canon Leslie's drawing-room, before the dinner, no one would have made any remark. Mr. Sherborne's taking Alice in to dinner, and talking to her all the evening, seemed natural, as they were "old friends."

How much there was to hear-how much to tell! Robert Sherborne's countenance glowed with pride and delight, as Alice and Evelyn related his brother's deed of heroism at the Barrack fire. The facts he had heard of by letter, but not the details as he heard them from them.

"Where is he now?" asked Alice. "I did so hope

we should see him here again! But the Bishop told us he has left the diocese."

"He is working hard in that smoky, overgrown place, Walkley. I long to see the dear fellow!"

Would there be any chance of getting him to come here for a day, while you are here?" asked Canon Leslie.

"There is nothing like trying," said Robert, "if you are good enough to be troubled with a brace of the family."

That evening a letter was written, in the shape of a command, that Henry Sherborne should come to spend a day with his brother as soon as possible. In twenty-four hours a telegram announced, "With the greatest pleasure. I will come at once."

It was a joyful meeting between the brothers. Miss Harley was in a state of rapturous delight at having two such heroes as guests, to say nothing of the successful termination of the romance over which she had so long watched.

Each day, there were plans formed, in which, as a matter of course, the Eversleys were to take a part. The only difficulty was the providing chaperones for the long walks. Miss Harley was not up to