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The steamer came to a full stop close to a bank, and was secured by the simple expedient of tying a rope round a tree. The passengers all jumped ashore. The little Sister smiled and waved her adieu. The men on board began to disembark the small cargo, and a crowd of Maoris stood on the bank and superintended the proceedings with their usual air of unemployed dignity.

“I can’t leave you like this,” he said at last.

“Yes, indeed you must. Look! they are beckoning to you.” He had seen Lizzie in many phases, but this was a new mood altogether. She might have been a princess graciously dismissing him from audience, and he felt that there was no appeal from her decision. All at once he seemed to realize how lonely she was, and understood something of the sadness that underlaid her brilliant life. A sudden tenderness brought the tears very near his eyes, but she looked at him with the same calm, unfathomable expression, and silently held out her hand. He kept it for a moment—for an instant held it to his lips—and then, turning away, disappeared into the forest. Lizzie remained standing motionless for some long moments, looking into the shadows and listening, if perhaps a footstep might be returning. Then with an irresistible