beautiful spot you have hidden yourself in!"

"I am pleased to hear you say so. Isn't it lovely? But you must tell me
about home. How are all my friends?"

"They are well. How mellowy the sunshine falls on the rough crags
opposite, and what a picture for a painter to transfer to canvas!"

"Yes, I have wished I were an artist, over and over a gain. But I have no
talent in that direction. My friends are all well, you say? What of Miss
Lee? Did you see her?"

"Yes. She is well. What are you reading?" lifting the book from the
ground where it had fallen.

Margie turned suddenly upon him, and regarded him searchingly.

"Why do you evade answering my questions, Mr. Castrani? It is natural
that I should want to hear something of the home from which I have been
so long away, is it not? Why do you refuse to satisfy my reasonable
curiosity on that subject?"

Castrani's handsome face clouded--he looked at her with tender pity in
his eyes.

"Miss Harrison, why will you press me further? Your friends are all
well."

"I know. But there is something behind that. Tell it to me at once."