"Possibly. Your answer?"

She sprang to her feet with a face pale as marble, and clung to the mantelpiece for support; but though Vassalla saw she was weak he gave her no assistance.

"Your answer?" he demanded, pitilessly; "yes or no?"

"Yes," she whispered, and for the second time that day fainted.

[CHAPTER XVIII.]

THE SECRETS OF THE PENNY POST.

"Carmela Cotoner to Ronald Monteith.

"My Dear Mr. Monteith,--I write to let you know that in the interview I had with you yesterday, you misunderstood some of my statements. My sister, Mrs. Verschoyle, did not come on board with me to say good-bye, when the 'Neptune' sailed, but did so before I left home. You will understand why I write this letter.quot;

"Yours truly,

Carmela Cotoner."