ed the doctor.

"Yes, has all his life. There's the little back parlour and the
bedroom behind it always kept for him."

"Well, you are going on very nicely. Now for the wrist."

The captain winced a little and swore a good deal while his wrist was
under manipulation. It evidently pained him more than the broken leg.

"What the blazes are your about, doctor? Leave it alone--do."

"Come, come, now that's all over. You must mind and keep it very
quiet. No shying of books and things, remember. Well, good-bye; come
and see you again to-morrow. I daresay you'll see Captain Owen by and
by. Good-bye, my dear," turning to Valmai, "take care of your uncle."
And like a gust of wind he ran down the stairs, banged the front door,
and was gone.

Valmai had dropped her paper and listened breathlessly to his
communications, and she was sitting, pale and silent, as a tumult of
exciting thoughts rushed into her mind.

"The _Burrawalla_ come back! damaged! a collision! And Cardo, where
was he? Was it possible that the dull grey town contained her lover?"

"Well, to be sure, here's a pretty kettle of fish," said her uncle,
using strong compulsion to adapt his words to the squeamishness of a
"lil gel." "Here's the _Burrawalla_, Valmai, put back for repairs, may
friend Captain Owen's ship, you know. Sech a thing has never happened
afore. You'll have to put his rooms ready, may dear, and laight a
fayer by 'm by, for he's sure to be here to-night. You'll look after
him, won't you?"

"Yes, uncle, I'll do my best, whatever. I had better go and get his
sheets aired at once." And she left the room, glad to hide her pale
face and trembling hands from her uncle.

Once outside the bedroom door, she crossed her hands on her bosom, as
though to stop the tumultuous beating of her heart. What was going to
happen? Should she hear Cardo's name from Captain Owen? Could she
find her way to the docks? and as a gleam of sunlight shone in through
the little window in the linen cupboard, she thought what a bright and
happy place Fordsea was after all.

She hurried through her domestic preparations, and then, after a
consultation with her uncle, made an expedition into the market,
ordering supplies for the following days. When she returned, the front
door was open, and, entering the passage, she heard loud voices in her
uncle's room, and gently pushing the door open, saw a rough-bearded,
blue-eyed man standing by the bedside.