It was, as Seth had prophesied, like seeking after a will-o'-the-wisp; yet surely she must be in the flesh somewhere.

My plain duty was to find her at once; and I resolved to take up the task anew that day, and question every one I met till some trace yielded to my persistency.

However, I needed first to sleep; but as I resolutely closed my eyes, there came gliding into my memory another face,--an arch, happy face, with softly rounded cheeks and dark laughing eyes, a face that mirrored a hundred moods, and back of them all a sweet womanly tenderness to make every mood a new and rare delight.

Toinette!--never before was woman's name so pleasant to my lips.

Ignorant as I was in mysteries of the heart, I knew not clearly whether I loved her, though this I knew beyond cavil,--no savage hand should ever touch her while I lived; and if I had to fight each step of the path from that accursed spot to Wayne, I swore within my heart she should come safe through.