a simple black cockade in his hat. Prince Philip was in a shooting suit, with strong boots and a wide-awake, looking very much, but for his spectacles, like any young English country gentleman.

“Ah! you are here! Ladies, I have the honour," and he saluted the two girls with that German ceremoniousness which may almost be said to be admonitory in its formal courtesy.

Stephen Dalrymple, who had known the Prince from his boyhood, was, of course, quite at home with him. He offered him a seat, sent the groom into the house for a teacup, gave an account of their expedition, and in a few minutes succeeded in putting every one at ease. Lesbia, who pitied Ella, had stolen round to her friend's side, and pressed her hand closely. But Ella's did not tremble as she offered Prince Philip the cup of tea she had

poured out for him, nor did she avoid him in any way, or show further embarrassment at his presence. When the impromptu meal was over, she packed the things into the picnic basket, and then stood up, drawing on her gloves, and declaring it was time to start, "or mamma would be nervous."

The sun had set, but the moon had not yet risen. Ella mounted her donkey. Every one, as etiquette demanded, fell back to make way for the ceremonious young prince, who bowed the princelyGerman-bow to such perfection.

Up to

this moment he had not been alone with

Ella. Hugh, gloomy and disgusted, walked by Mr. Hamilton's side; then came the groom with the two horses, and after him strode the donkey-boy with plaids and provision bags slung on a stick over his shoulder. Lesbia and Stephen

Dalrymple closed the cavalcade. Frank had disappeared.

It was a long journey homewards. Until the moon rose they had to go carefully. It was very dark in the forest. Prince Philip led Ella's donkey; he knew every step of the road. Presently, to beguile the tediousness of the way, the donkey-boy struck up one of those simple but touching Volkslieder so dear to the heart of the German people. The groom took it up; even Prince Philip answered from the front, and Stephen Dalrymple re-echoed it from the rear.

"How beautiful your voice is!" said Lesbia, simply.

He made no reply.

Song followed upon song; and then silence. Then words which were to fix the fate of Lesbia's life; and, as the splendid harvest moon rolled up in its golden

glory from behind the hills, her head rested for a moment on Stephen Dalrymple's shoulder, and his kiss was warm upon her brow.

CHAPTER XX.

GUARDIAN AND WARD.

LESBIA, my child, what is this that I

am told ?"

“Then he has told you?"

"Then it is true?"

For all answer Lesbia hid her head

on her guardian's shoulder.

He had sent

It

for her to his sitting-room, and she had guessed the reason of the summons. was the first time she had been there since their stay at Groschenheim. She always sat with Ella and Mrs. Dobree in their salon. Mr. Hamilton's studious habits made a chez soi, even in a foreign hotel, necessary to him. Last night, two evenings after the expedition to Adlershorst, Stephen Dalrymple had come to him and