"The Lord rules, sir," answered the man, launching his little boat, and trying to make a comfortable and dry seat for his crippled young passenger.
The little boat shot out into the blue and sparkling waves, and danced along like a thing of life in the beautiful spring sunshine.
"We must go a mile below the village to the home of my friend's mother," Howard explained, as they went along.
Then he fell to wondering how Xenie would receive him when he came to her with the glad tidings of Lora's discovery.
"How strange that I should carry her glad tidings," he thought. "I am afraid I do not keep to the letter of my vow of hatred as firmly as she does. Would she bring me good news as willingly?"
His heart answered no.
The keel grated on the shore, and springing out, they went up to the pretty cottage were Mrs. Carroll had lived in strict retirement for several months with her two daughters.
But there a terrible disappointment awaited Howard.
The cottage was untenanted.
They knocked several times, eliciting no response, and finally opening the doors, they found that the occupants had moved out.