"Mary," said Robert, "did you hear?"
And, raising their heads above the bulwarks, they both gazed searchingly into the misty shadows of the night. Yet there was nothing but the darkness stretching blankly before them.
"Robert," said Mary, pale with emotion, "I thought—yes, I thought like you."
At this moment another cry reached them, and this time the illusion was such that these words broke simultaneously from both their hearts:
"My father! my father!"
This was too much for Mary Grant. Overcome by emotion, she sank senseless into her brother's arms.
"Help!" cried Robert. "My sister! my father! help!"
The man at the helm hastened to Miss Grant's assistance, and after him the sailors of the watch, Captain Mangles, Lady Helena, and Lord Glenarvan, who had been suddenly awakened.
"My sister is dying, and my father is yonder!" exclaimed Robert, pointing to the waves.
No one understood his words.