"But you mustn't scold," she pleaded; "think of the danger I was in! Oh! it was horrible to feel the water closing over my head—to go down—down!"
"Don't think of it," cried Elizabeth, making a sudden effort to change the conversation, from a fear that dwelling upon the danger which she had incurred might bring on one of Elsie's nervous attacks.
"No," added Mellen; "it is all over now, quite over—don't think of it any more."
"You look pale, Grant."
"No wonder, no wonder!"
The girl gave him one of her wilful smiles.
"Perhaps I tried the experiment to see how much you loved me?"
Mellen lifted her in his arms and rested her head upon his shoulder, while many emotions struggled across his face.
"Child!" he said, in a tremulous voice, "you knew before—you have always known. My mother's treasure—my pride—my blessing!"
There Elizabeth stood, forgotten, disregarded—so it seemed to her; but she made no sign which could betray the bitter anguish at her heart.