THE perplexity into which Hazel was thrown by the outburst of his companion rendered him unable to reduce her demand at once to an intelligible form.

For some moments he seriously employed his mind on the problem until it assumed this shape.
Firstly: I do not know where this island is, having no means of ascertaining either its latitude or longitude.
Secondly: If I had such a description of its locality, how might the news be conveyed beyond the limits of the place?
As the wildness of Helen's demand broke upon his mind, he smiled sadly, and sat down upon the bank of the little river, near his boat-house, and buried his head in his hands.

A deep groan burst from him, and the tears at last came through his fingers, as in despair he thought how vain must be any effort to content or to conciliate her.

Impatient with his own weakness he started to his feet, when a hand was laid gently upon his arm.

She stood beside him.
"Mr.Hazel," she said hurriedly--her voice was husky--"do not mind what I have said.