loon, Gertrude stood
smoothing back her hair, and watching her pale countenance, until she
was accused of violating the agreement, and was at last sent off by the
good-natured doctor's lady, who declared herself perfectly well able to
take care of Emily.

"You'd better make haste back," she said, "before you lose your seat;
and, Gerty, don't let the doctor come near us; he'll be teasing us to go
back again, and we shall not." Mrs. Jeremy untied her bonnet-strings,
put her feet up in the opposite chair, clapped her hands at Gertrude,
and bade her begone.

Gertrude ran off laughing, and a smile was on her face when she reached
the staircase. As she came up with her quick and light step, a tall
figure moved aside to let her pass. It was Mr. Phillips. He bowed, and
Gertrude, returning the salutation, passed on to the place she had left,
wondering how he came to be again their travelling companion. He could
not have been on board previously to her going below with Emily.

Gertrude had sat about five minutes, when a shadow passed before her,
and looking up, she betrayed a little confusion at again encountering a
pair of eyes, whose magnetic gaze bewildered her. She was turning away,
when the stranger spoke. "Good morning, young lady! our paths still lie
in the same direction, I see. Will you honour me by making use of my
guide-book?"

As he spoke he offered her a little book containing a map of the river,
and the shores on either side. Gertrude took it, and thanked him. As she
unfolded the map he stationed himself a few steps distant, and leaned
over the railing, in an apparently absent state of mind; nor did he
speak to her again for some minutes. Then, suddenly turning towards her,
he said, "You like this very much?"

"Very much," said Gertrude.

"You have never seen anything so beautiful before in your life." He did
not seem to question her; he spoke as if he knew.

"It is an old story to you, I suppose," said Gertrude.

"What makes you think so?" asked he, smiling.

Gertrude was disconcerted by his look, and still more by his smile; it
changed his whole face so--it made him look so handsome, and yet so
melancholy. She blushed and could not reply; he saved her the trouble.
"That is hardly a fair question, is it? You probably think you have as
much reason for your opinion as I had for mine. You are wrong, however;
I never was here before; but I am too old a traveller to carry my
enthusiasm in my eyes--as you do,"