CHAPTER XII.
"And now," said I to Aurelia, as we sat in the cool evening in the company of the convalescent Gell, "now it is time for you to tell us by what miracle you preserved your life and reason during these four years, and finally managed to find us out and to get conveyed to us over these thousands of miles of ocean."
"Miracle indeed?" said William; "I have thought and thought over the mater, and though I never could quite bring myself to believe in your death, reason revolted from what seemed the ridiculous idea that you could possibly be alive."
"Well father," replied Aurelia, "if you want to hear all about it I will try and tell you. But it will be rather a long story. Are you quite comfortable dear?" added she as she rose and shifted the pillows in Gell's chair.
