“Now, daughter,” the captain said at the conclusion of the story, “I hope you are quite convinced of the wisdom and kindness of your father’s prohibition of solitary rides and walks for you?”

“Yes, papa, I am, and do not intend ever to disobey you again by taking them.  I wasn’t much frightened, but I know it would have been very dangerous for me if I’d been alone.”

“No doubt of it,” he said, caressing her with grave tenderness, “it almost makes me shudder to think of what might have happened had you been without a protector.”

“And I doubt if I could have protected her without Prince’s help, papa,” said Max.  “I think he’s a valuable fellow, and pays for his keep.”

“Yes; I am very glad I selected him as a Christmas gift to you,” said his father.  “But now I must warn you both to say nothing to, or before Gracie, about this occurrence; for timid as she is, it would be apt to cause her much suffering from apprehension.”

“We will try to keep it a secret from her, papa,” replied both children.

“And in order to succeed in that you will have to be on your guard and give no hint of the matter in presence of any of the servants.”

“We will try to remember, papa,” they promised with evident intention to do so.

“That is right,” he said.  “I think I can trust you not to forget or disobey.  I know you would be loath to have your little sister tortured with nervous terrors.  Now go and get yourselves ready for tea.”

Lulu was full of excitement over her adventure, and through the evening found it difficult to refrain from speaking of it before Grace; but equally desirous to obey her father and to save her little sister from needless suffering, she resolutely put a curb upon her tongue till she found herself alone with him at bedtime.

Then she must needs go over the whole scene again, and seeing that it was a relief to her excitement, he let her run on about it to her heart’s content.

“Has it made you feel at all timid to-night, daughter?” he asked kindly.

“No, papa,” she answered promptly; “I don’t think the man could get into the house; do you?”

“I think it most probable he has walked on till he is miles away from here by this time,” the captain answered.  “But even did we know him to be prowling round outside, we might rest and sleep in peace and security, assured that nothing can harm us without the will of our heavenly Father who loves us more than any earthly parent loves his child.”

He drew her very close to his heart and imprinted a tender kiss upon her lips as he spoke.

“Yes, papa, it makes me feel very safe to remember that, thinking how dearly you love me; so that I know you would never let anything harm me if you could help it,” she returned, putting an arm round his neck and hugging him tight.  “Oh I am so glad that the Bible tells us that about God’s love to us!”