when out of sight she was never
absent from his mind.

"Was he about to fall in love?" He was conscious of a vague wonder and
sense of alarm. A hopeless attachment would be a fatal misfortune to a
fellow beginning a new life; a life that required the whole of his mind
and the best of his energies; but, like the moth and the candle, he
still continued to hover round Miss Leigh--and Miss Leigh was not
averse to his society. Together they talked and argued, played quoits
and danced. A stern, inward voice assured Shafto that, luckily for
him, there was a fixed date for the terminating of his enchantment--the
day when the _Blankshire_ entered the Irrawaddy river and was moored to
her berth. Then Miss Leigh would go her way to be the joy and the
light of wealthy relatives--he, to begin his new work at the very
bottom of the ladder.

Another voice also made itself heard, which said: "One is young but
once! Make the most of these shining hours; sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof."

When in a placid temper, the Red Sea is favourable for dances and
theatricals and, much against his will, Shafto was dragged into "the
Neptune" company by Hoskins, a resolute, determined individual, who
filled the thankless office of stage manager. Shafto was cast for the
part of an old gentleman, the role being softened and alleviated by the
fact that he was to undertake to play uncle to Miss Leigh. Although
Bernhard had no part in the piece itself, being an authority, he
superintended its production, and on several occasions addressed Miss
Leigh's temporary "uncle" in a manner that increased Shafto's natural
aversion to what Hoskins termed "The great blond brute!" The play
proved to be a success and there was little or no jealousy or friction.
Amazing to record, Miss Pomeroy and Miss Leigh--the two principal
ladies--still remained the very best of friends. During rehearsals
Shafto and his "niece" exchanged a good deal of dialogue that was not
in the piece--thanks partly to Mrs. Milward's introductions and
revelations, and partly to a mutual attraction, they now knew one
another rather well. They sat with their chaperon and listened to her
incessant flow of talk with appreciative sympathy, played deck quoits,
walked and danced together, and were for looks and accomplishments the
most prominent couple on the _Blankshire_.

"Tell me, dear lady," said Mrs. Maitland, sinking into a deck-chair
beside Sophy's chaperon, "do you int