that Courtenay meant to go without bidding her farewell. She had heard
the lowering of the boat without heeding; he was already climbing down
the ship's side. Soon he would be far from her, perhaps never to
return. For he was not one to paint imaginary ills, and had he not
told de Poincilit what the outcome of the undertaking might be? Was it
his wish that she should remain in seeming ignorance of his mission
until it was too late for a parting word? Did he dread the ordeal of
telling her his errand? Even he, so strong and resolute, who had so
often smiled grim death out of countenance, feared the kiss which might
wean him from the narrow way. And she must prove herself worthy of
him. She must suffer in silence, trusting the All-powerful to bring
him back to her arms.

And then she found Isobel looking at her with frightened eyes.

"Did you hear?" came the tense whisper.

"Yes."

"And you are content to let him go?"

"Ah, God! Yes, content."

"But it is folly. He is the captain. He should not go. We have
risked enough already. Who are these men for whose sake he leaves you,
and all of us?"

"I know not, nor do I greatly care, may Heaven help me and them."

"Then you should appeal to him to abandon this mad undertaking. It is
not fair to you. It is more than unfair to those who have entrusted
their lives to his keeping."

Isobel would have risen in her excitement, had not Elsie leaped to her
feet.

"Oh, Isobel," she cried, all a-quiver with disdain, "can you not for
once conquer the self that is destroying your very soul? Neither by
word nor act shall you interfere between Arthur Courtenay and his duty.
Would you have him cling ignobly to life like that poor dandy whom he
has sent to herd with savages? Be sure he has not forgotten those who
are beholden to him. We are his first care. Let it be mine to leave
him unhindered in the task he has undertaken!"

Isobel was cowed into silence. Elsie's hero-worship had reached a
height beyond her comprehension. She would never understand how a
woman who loved a man could send him voluntarily to his death, and her
shallow mind did not contemplate the possibility of Courtenay's
refusing to be swayed by any other consideration than that which his
conscience told him was right.

Thus, at arm's length as it were, they waited until they caught the
sharp command "Give way there!" and the plash of oars told them that
the boat had really started on its