“In return, I gave her my whole confidence.  She invited me to call at her residence the following day, which I did.  It was the home where you had spent those long months of seclusion, and the lady was, as you must have guessed, Mrs. Linden.

“I learned from her everything that I wished to know save your present place of residence, which she refused to divulge.

“’I expect my pet will return to me, when she has wearied of her present mode of life,’ she said, ’and then you can renew your acquaintance under more favorable auspices.’

“It was in vain I pleaded for farther confidences.  She was inexorable.  I had, therefore, only to exercise patience, and, as I had now everything to hope for, I was happier than I had been for many long months.

“To while away the time, which, in my present mood hung heavy on my hands, I started, in company with my sister-in-law and a party of friends, on a pleasure excursion.  We took passage in a steamer bound for Lake Superior, every one anticipating an unusual amount of enjoyment.  Alas! what a terrible ending to it all!  Let me hasten over this dreadful tragedy; although I can never hope to drive the awful scene from my mind.

“We were in the height of our enjoyment; little groups, with bright, animated faces scattered here and there, and apart from the rest, either promenading the decks, or sheltered in some retired corner, happy lovers, whispering softly of the future that would never come to them, for already the sable wings of death hovered over our careless band.

“By some unforeseen accident, and owing to no carelessness on the part of the officers, the boat had taken fire, and when discovered by the passengers the flames were making such rapid headway that escape seemed impossible for the greater portion.  It was a wild and awful scene.

“In the tumult I had sought out the children, Grace and Alice, and carried them with me to a position from which I intended to leap with them into the water after it became impossible for us to remain longer on the burning steamer.  I was just securing the life preservers about them, when a heart-rending cry reached my ears, and the next moment my sister-in-law grasped my arm.  She was nearly frantic with fear, and in the agony of the moment thought of nothing but her own preservation.  The sight of her completely unnerved me.  I pointed to the children, beseeching her to calm herself, and I would save them all.  We were not far from land, and, being an expert swimmer, I believe I could have done so, had not my movements been impeded as they were.  As it was, I could do nothing.  Insane with fright, the instinct of the mother seemed to have died out.  There was but one way.  The flames were rapidly nearing us, and, giving instructions to the children—­who seemed more like women than the shrinking creature who cowered before them—­I made one more effort to impress upon Gracia’s mind the necessity for implicit obedience to my instructions.