. In the brightly-lighted saloons the women were being ranged
together. A hand gripped Katrine's arm, and Mrs Mannering's voice rang
out, calm and controlled:

"Miss Beverley! That's good. I've been searching for you. Come, my
lass, come with me! They are collecting the women in the saloon to be
ready for the boats. We must do what we can to help. It's not the
first shipwreck I've been in, and here I am, safe and sound. We'll be
all right yet, but we must do our share. Come! take my arm."

Katrine lifted a set face.

"I'm not going. Don't tease me, please--there's so little time. Leave
us alone."

Over her head the two exchanged rapid glances. Bedford nodded, a quick
stern nod, with a glance in the direction of the boat; the woman nodded
back, comprehending his message. She was bareheaded, cloakless as she
had rushed out of the saloon a moment before; now with characteristic
coolness she glanced around, and made a second announcement:

"There's time yet. I can get some clothes and usefuls. You will stay
here? Exactly here, so that I may know where to find you? There must
be no chance of missing!"

Bedford nodded again, and she hastened away. Prom above sounded the
rattle of the wireless, as it sent forth its message of distress.
Leaning against the rail stood a youthful officer, little more than a
boy. His face was set, but his pose was the acme of careless ease. He
had taken from his pocket a silver case, and from time to time he lifted
an unlighted cigarette to his lips, with a pathetic pretence of
enjoyment. Bedford bent his head until it rested on Katrine's hair.

"Katrine!"

She moved, so that her cheek took the place of her hair. There was
unspeakable comfort in the soft, cold touch of his flesh against her
own.

"Yes!"

"That's the wireless! They are sending messages for help. We are in
the direct channel. It will certainly come. We must hope on."

Even as he spoke the deck shivered beneath his feet, and with a
sickening lurch, tilted heavily on one side. Bedford threw out one hand
and caught at the rail, holding Katrine firmly with the other. The
young officer, thrown on one side, fell back into his nonchalant pose,
and tremblingly lifted his cigarette, but his lips moved in an
involuntary despair.

"My God! _She's going_--"

Katrine caught the gasping words, and looked death in the face. It was
coming. At any moment that shuddering lurch might come again, and the