d short, flushing, but Mrs Mannering was intentionally
obtuse.

"Yes, all right! The poor old ship kept up to the end. They are
getting out the baggage. Pray heaven it is _dry_! in any case we'll be
thankful for what we can get. It looked as if we might not have a rag
to our backs. That good soul Anderson is looking after our part of the
spoil; Captain Bedford would have done it, but it was all he could do to
get through himself. Had to rush off to take up a company by the first
train. They've been kept waiting for him by this upset. However, our
rooms are booked at the hotel, and we can lie low for a few days till we
get our breath."

Katrine stared blankly. She had shrunk from the thought of meeting
Bedford, yet it came as a shock to hear that he had gone on and left her
behind. They had _all_ gone on,--the passengers among whom she had
lived so closely during those last weeks; but for Nancy Mannering she
was alone in the strange new world. It was a lonesome feeling. She sat
on the side of her bunk, smiling a difficult smile.

"Oh! Yes. That will be nice. And my friends have arranged for my
journey. The agent will call--"

"Be hanged to agents! I've sworn by all my gods to stick to you till I
see you safely landed with your friends. It's only a few score miles
out of my way, and that counts for nothing in this country. The good
Bedford will see me housed when we arrive."

"Scores of miles out of your way! For _me_? Mrs Mannering, it is too
much! I can't let you do it. You are the kindest, most unselfish of
creatures."

Mrs Mannering grimaced.

"Don't be too sure!" she said dryly. "Curiosity poses under many forms.
I've a weakness for being on in the last act. Well! dress yourself,
and come along, and be sure to speak prettily to the captain before you
leave. He's behaved like a brick. There's tea in the saloon."

By six o'clock Katrine and her chaperon were safely housed in the hotel,
appreciating as they had never done before the blessings of _terra
firma_. The next morning their baggage was restored to them,
practically undamaged, and what was to Katrine most important of all, a
letter arrived from Jim Blair.

She sat alone in her room holding the unopened envelope in her hand,
gaining courage for the ordeal of reading the loving words. Strange how
deep a hold this unknown man had taken of her affections! Bedford she
loved with the stored-up passion of her life, but even Bedf