came in, and found his sister leaning with her head back against
the wall. "Why, Phoebe," said he, "whatever is the matter?" and he took
her by the shoulder.

She moaned, and he felt her all limp and powerless.

"What is it, lass? Whatever is the matter? Is it about going away?"

She would not speak for a long time.

When she did speak, it was to say something for which my male reader may
not be prepared. But it will not surprise the women.

"O Dick--forgive me!"

"Why, what for?"

"Forgive me, or else kill me: I don't care which."

"I do, though. There, I forgive you. Now what's your crime?"

"I can't go. Forgive me!"

"Can't go?"

"I can't. Forgive me!"

"I'm blessed if I don't believe that vagabond has been here tormenting
of you again."

"Oh, don't miscall him. He is penitent. Yes, Dick, he has been here
crying to me--and I can't leave him. I can't--I can't. Dear Dick! you
are young and stout-hearted; take all the things over, and make your
fortune out there, and leave your poor foolish sister behind. I should
only fling myself into the salt sea if I left him now, and that would be
peace to me, but a grief to thee."

"Lordsake, Phoebe, don't talk so. I can't go without you. And do but
think, why, the horses are on board by now, and all the gear. It's my
belief a good hiding is all you want, to bring you to your senses; but
I han't the heart to give you one, worse luck. Blessed if I know what to
say or do."

"I won't go!" cried Phoebe, turning violent all of a sudden. "No, not if
I am dragged to the ship by the hair of my head. Forgive me!" And with
that word she was a mouse again.

"Eh, but women are kittle cattle to drive," said poor Dick ruefully. And
down he sat at a nonplus, and very unhappy.

Phoebe sat opposite, sullen, heart-sick, wretched to the core; but
determined not to leave Reginald.

Then came an event that might have been foreseen, yet it took them both
by surprise.

A light step was heard, and a graceful, though seedy, figure entered the
room with a set speech in his mouth: "Phoebe, you are right. I owe it to
your long and faithful affection to make a sacrifice for you. I will go
to Africa with you. I will go to the end of the world, sooner than you
shall say I care for any woman on earth but you."

Both brother and sister were so unprepared for this, that they could
hardly realize it at first.

Phoebe turned her great, inquiring eyes on the speaker, and it was
a sight t