“What is the matter with them?”
“The springs are spouting furiously, and the lake has disappeared.”
“Great heavens! that does sound ominous,” said Maurice anxiously. “Does your father know?”
“Of course he does, but he told me not to speak of it, lest the people should become panic-stricken, but of course such prohibition does not extend to you.”
“The lake gone! the springs active!” repeated Roylands in a musing tone. “I am afraid there is danger of the volcano breaking out again.”
“So I think; but father laughs at all my fears.”
“It would be a terrible catastrophe should such a thing happen, for not one of us could hope to escape. Besides, if Melnos became an active volcano, all your father’s forty years of hard work would go for nothing.”
“Do you think it is likely an eruption will take place, Maurice?” asked Helena in a tremulous voice. “You have no idea how afraid I am.”
“Egad! it is enough to make any one afraid; however, I think you can set your mind at rest, Helena. The eruption, if there is to be one, cannot possibly take place for a week, and by that time Crispin’s yacht will have arrived; so if there are any signs of an outbreak, we can escape at once.”
“Oh, I hope so! I trust so!”