that separated her
from New York. Fair weather and fair cheer marked her course, and the
soft, balmy nights were like seasons of fairyland. Monty was cherishing
in his heart the hope inspired by Peggy's action on the night of the
storm. Somehow it brought a small ray of light to his clouded
understanding and he found joy in keeping the flame alive religiously
if somewhat doubtfully. His eyes followed her constantly, searching for
the encouragement that the very blindness of love had hidden from him,
forever tormenting himself with fears and hopes and fears again. Her
happiness and vivacity puzzled him--he was often annoyed, he was now
and then seriously mystified.

Four days out from New York, then three days, then two days, and then
Brewster began to feel the beginning of the final whirlwind in
profligacy clouding him oppressively, ominously, unkindly. Down in his
stateroom he drew new estimates, new calculations, and tried to balance
the old ones so that they appeared in the light most favorable to his
designs. Going over the statistics carefully, he estimated that the
cruise, including the repairs and return of the yacht to New York,
would cost him $210,000 in round figures. One hundred and thirty-three
days marked the length of the voyage when reckoned by time and, as near
as he could get at it, the expense had averaged $1,580 a day. According
to the contract, he was to pay for the yacht, exclusive of the cuisine
and personal service. And he had found it simple enough to spend the
remaining $1,080. There were days, of course, when fully $5,000
disappeared, and there were others on which he spent much less than
$1,000, but the average was secure. Taking everything into
consideration, Brewster found that his fortune had dwindled to a few
paltry thousands in addition to the proceeds which would come to him
from the sale of his furniture. On the whole he was satisfied.

The landing in New York and the separation which followed were not
entirely merry. Every discomfort was forgotten and the travelers only
knew that the most wonderful cruise since that of the ark had come to
an end. There was not one who would not have been glad to begin it
again the next day.

Immediately after the landing Brewster and Gardner were busy with the
details of settlement. After clearing up all of the obligations arising
from the cruise, they felt the appropriateness of a season of
reflection. It was a difficult moment--a moment when unde