“I believe the regular train does not leave V——­ until night, but the conductor told me I might catch an excursion train bound south, and due here about half-past one o’clock.  It is necessary for me to return with as little delay as possible, and after I have spoken to Regina I must hasten to the depot You will find my address pencilled on the card, and I presume Mrs. Orme has given you hers.  Should you desire to confer with me at any time relative to the child, I shall promptly respond to your letters, but have no leisure to spend in looking after her.  The semiannual remittance shall not be neglected, and Regina has a package for you containing money for contingent expenses.”

They entered the hall, and found the little stranger sitting alone on the lowest step of the stairway, where Mrs. Lindsay had left her, while she went to prepare luncheon for the travellers.  She was very quiet, bore no visible traces of tears, but the tender lips wore a piteously sad expression of heroically repressed grief, and the purlish shadows under her solemn blue eyes rendered them more than ever—­pleadingly beautiful.

As the two gentlemen stood before her she rose, and caught her breath, pressing one little palm over her heart, while the other grasped the balustrade.

“Don’t you think, dear, that you ought to be well cared for, when you have two guardians—­two adopted fathers, Mr. Palma and I—­to watch over you?  We both intend that you shall be the happiest little girl in the State.  Will you help us?”

“I will try to be good.”

Her voice was very low, but steady, as if she realized she was making a compact.

“Then I know we shall all succeed.”

Mr. Hargrove walked to the front door, and the lawyer put on his hat and came back to the steps.

“Regina, I have explained to you that I brought you here because your mother so directed me, and I believe Dr. Hargrove will be a kind, good friend.  Little one, I do not like to leave you so soon among strangers, but it cannot be helped.  Will you be contented and happy?”

There was singular emphasis in her reply.

“I shall never complain to you, Mr. Palma.”

“Because you think I would not ’Sympathize with you?  I am not a man given to soft words, nor am I accustomed to deal with children, but indeed I should be annoyed if I thought you were unhappy here.”

“Then you must not be annoyed at all.”

His quick nervous laugh seemed to startle her unpleasantly, for she shrank closer to the balustrade.

“How partial you are, preferring Dr. Hargrove already, and flying into his arms at sight!  Do you wish to make me jealous?”

His eyes gleamed mischievously, and he saw the blood rising in her white cheeks.

“Dr. Hargrove opened his arms to me, because he saw how miserable I was.”

“If I should chance to open mine, do you think that by any accident you would rush into them?”