The low, wooded shores swept past in changing panorama, yet I could not divorce my mind from this perplexing problem.

Totally unknown to me as these two mysterious girls were, their strange story fascinated my imagination.

What possible tragedy lay before them in the years?
what horrible revelation to wrench them asunder?
to change in a single instant the quiet current of their lives?
About them, unseen as yet, lurked a grim specter, waiting only the opportunity to grip them both in the fingers of disgrace, and make instant mock of all their plans.

In spite of every effort, every lurking hope, some way I could not rid myself of the thought that Beaucaire--either through sheer neglect, or some instinct of bitter hatred--had failed to meet the requirements of his duty.

Even as I sat there, struggling vainly against this suspicion, the Judge himself came forth upon the lower deck, and began pacing back and forth restlessly beside the rail.