Doris’ watchful glance never left the face whose lightest change was more to her than all Orlando’s hopes.  But the result upon her was not to weaken her resolution, but to strengthen it.  Whatever the outcome of the next few minutes, she must stand ready to sustain her invalid through it.  That the darkness of early evening had deepened to oppression, was unnoticed for the moment.  The fears of an hour past had been forgotten.  Their attention was too absorbed in what was going on before them, for even a glance overhead.

Suddenly Mr. Challoner spoke.

“Who is the man whom Mr. Brotherson has asked to go up with him?”

It was Oswald who answered.

“He has never told me.  He has kept his own counsel about that as about everything else connected with this matter.  He simply advised me that I was not to bother about him any more; that he had found the assistant he wanted.”

“Such reticence seems unpardonable.  You have—­displayed great patience, Oswald.”

“Because I understand Orlando.  He reads men’s natures like a book.  The man he trusts, we may trust.  To-morrow, he will speak openly enough.  All cause for reticence will be gone.”

“You have confidence then in the success of this undertaking?”

“If I hadn’t, I should not be here.  I could hardly bear to witness his failure, even in a secret test like this.  I should find it too hard to face him afterwards.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Orlando has great pride.  If this enterprise fails I cannot answer for him.  He would be capable of anything.  Why, Doris! what is the matter, child?  I never saw you look like that before.”

She had been down on her knees regulating the lantern, and the sudden flame, shooting up, had shown him her face turned up towards his in an apprehension which verged on horror.

“Do I look frightened?” she asked, remembering herself and lightly rising.  “I believe that I am a little frightened.  If—­if anything should go wrong!  If an accident-” But here she remembered herself again and quickly changed her tone.  “But your confidence shall be mine.  I will believe in his good angel or—­or in his self-command and great resolution.  I’ll not be frightened any more.”

But Oswald did not seem satisfied.  He continued to look at her in vague concern.

He hardly knew what to make of the intense feeling she had manifested.  Had Orlando touched her girlish heart?  Had this cold-blooded nature, with its steel-like brilliancy and honourable but stern views of life, moved this warm and sympathetic soul to more than admiration?  The thought disturbed him so he forgot the nearness of the moment they were all awaiting till a quick rasping sound from the hangar, followed by the sudden appearance of an ever-widening band of light about its upper rim, drew his attention and awakened them all to a breathless expectation.